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Crary Gants
Also by Melinda Coss

101 Greeting Cards

Big Softies: 35 Great Designer Knits in Mohair
 101
Crafty
Cats
(and how to make them)

Melinda Coss
First published 1994 by Aurum Press Limited,
25 Bedford Avenue, London WC1B 3AT

Copyright © 1994 by Melinda Coss

The right of Melinda Coss to be identified as the author of this work has been
asserted by her in accordance with the British Copyright, Designs and Patents Act
1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or
by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing
from Aurum Press Ltd.

A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 1 85410 340 7

1) Ds 4 6 dS 4 3 2 it
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

Design by Don Macpherson

Photography by Peter Letts and Mike King
Printed in Spain by Grafos SA, Barcelona

Extracts from ‘The Old Gumbie Cat’ and ‘The Song of the Jellicles’, Old Possum's
Book of Practical Cats, reproduced with the kind permission of Faber and Faber
Limited.
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
A Cat Alphabet
How to Draw a Cat

Doughcraft and Modelling (or how to squidge a cat)

Mashed Cats (Papier maché)
Fabricated Cats
Cats in Stitches
Needlepoint and embroidery
Patchwork
Knitting

Wooden Cats

Painted Cats
Painting on metal, enamel and wood
Painting on silk
Painting on glass

Print and Paper

Decoupage
Printing 66
Edible Cats

Templates
Stockist Information
Booklist
V1 10] CRAPTY.CATS

With sincerest apologies

to Jazz the poodle

Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank the following creatures for their remarkable
contributions to this work:

Paddy Murphy, for commissioning it; Geraldine Berkowitz for pawing

through it; Priscilla, for sitting on it; Sparky, for walking over it, and
Comet, for dragging a mouse across it. Kind thanks also to Sheila Murphy
for purring at the right moments, Judy Newman for twitching her nose
and coming up with great ideas, Justine Coss for squashing lots of bits of
wet paper into fantasmagorical pussy cats, Isobel Copus for knit picking,
Janetta Turgel for her cat prints, Kate Bartholo’mew’ for designing and
making the two gorgeous rag rugs, the wonderful Quilters of
Penpompren, Penny Newman for her barge painting, Paula Murray for
her exquisite papier maché sculptures, Jeanette Hall for a stitch in time,
and my scratching post Pat Groves. Thanks also to my newly acquired
grandaughter ‘Dusty Sunshine’ — the cat from hell.
 Introduction

to include, rhyme with or decoupage or papier maché, graph to simplify the process. I
sound like C-A-T, P-U-R-R or there are a number of books have also included a section on
M-E-O-W. The result is an end- available that will develop your how to draw a cat, which you
less collection of the most awful skill and lead you on to bigger should look at before begin-
puns interspurrsed with lots of and better things. Many of the ning. I often find that if I
crafty projects that I hope you projects are suitable for chil- understand how something is
will enjoy making. dren and there are some wood- put together it becomes much
The main purr-puss of Crafty craft ideas that are designed for easier to reproduce. It is simply
Cats is to demystify the tech- the do-it-yourselfer, be she the way you look at an object or
niques of various crafts and to male or female. If a finished animal that determines your
show readers how to translate project appears complicated, skill in painting or drawing it.
the bits and bobs they have the complexity is not in the cre- Finally, how can I end this
lying around into useful and ation of the object itself but in introduction without talking
decorative cats of all shapes the skill of the decorator. For about cats — in fact, how could I
and sizes. The basic skills example, Paula Murray’s cats do anything without the
required are covered briefly, on pp.19-21 are exquisitely knowledge that my furry
I just couldn’t help myself - but you do not have to be a cre- painted, but if you don’t feel friends are waiting at home to
during the six months it has ative genius to make any of the you could match her standard, amuse, comfort or anno
taken to create this book every projects in this book. If you find copy black and white cat mark- Life just wouldn’t be
word I have come across seems you enjoy a craft such as ings from a book or photo- without them.
2 {01 CRAFTY GATS

A Gai
Alphabet

heshire Cat as portrayed in gypt was undoubtedly

Alice in Wonderland consid- responsible for turning wild
ered himself to be quite cats into domestic creatures.
mad because, unlike the dog, he In return for the care and concern
growled when pleased and offered by the Egyptians, the wild
wagged his tail when angry. There cat protected her owner from
was once a cheese in Cheshire rodents, snakes and river beasts
stamped with a grinning cat’s face: and achieved considerable status.
perhaps this is where Lewis Along the career ladder, the cat
Carroll got his inspiration. took over the job of watching the
temple and was eventually pro-
moted to Goddess of Maternity in
the figure of Bastet.
byssinian cats are ruddy or ehaviour problems in cats
red and sing beautifully. are usually the result of a
They are free-spirited intel- badly-behaved owner. If you
evon Rexes enjoy living in at cats are at their fattest in
lectuals resembling in style and don’t provide a scratching post
apartments and are gener- Australia, where ‘Edward
temperament the sacred cats of your cat is going to use the nearest
ally good-tempered fel- Bear’ from New South Wales
ancient Egypt. Known also as ‘the chair or carpet on which to sharpen
lows. Their appearance is a little weighed in at 21.7kg and ‘Himmy’
cat from the Blue Nile’, Aby is her nails. If she does particularly
weird; they have very large ears, from Queensland died, aged ten,
affectionate, medium sized and bad things like walking through
curly hair and crinkly skins but weighing 21.3kg. According to The
short haired. your fried eggs or spraying the
they are much loved and prove the Guinness Book of Records, Britain’s
lasagna, she is probably trying to
point that beauty is only skin deep. fattest cat is ‘Poppa’, who weighed
punish you for ignoring her.
20.19kg at the age of eleven.
 A GAT ALPHABET

nteresting Cats: ‘There are no issing Cats: Muslim legend have kittah, catua, katze and kata. In
ordinary cats,’ wrote Colette. says that the cat was born Chinese and Egyptian we have miu
She also wrote, ‘it is the animal of a bizarre love affair and mau and in Italian, Polish,
to whom the Creator gave the between a beautiful lioness and a Portuguese and Spanish we have
biggest eye, the softest fur, the monkey. Cats, of course, kiss by gatto, gatto, gato and gato... I won-
most supremely delicate nostrils, a sniffing noses. der if that is why they love cream?
mobile ear, an unrivalled paw, a
curved claw borrowed from the
rose tree...’

onglife Cats: Devon, England

is a place where cats have
been known to survive to a
great old age. One particular tabby
was laid to rest aged 34 years and
another, from the same county,
umbie Cats died on November 28th, 1939 aged
36, one day after his birthday.
‘T have a Gumbie Cat in
mind, her name is
Jennyanydots;
Her coat is of the tabby kind,
anx or ‘Rumpy’ cats are
with tiger stripes and leopard
surrounded by legend.
spots.
Some say they are a cross
All day she sits upon the stair or
between a cat and a rabbit, others
on the steps or on the mat:
that the Manx lost its tail when
She sits and sits and sits and sits —
Noah closed the door of the Ark on
and that’s what makes a
it. However the tail was lost, the
Gumbie Cat!’
Manx arrived on the Isle of Man in
the sixteenth century, supposedly
Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,
T.S. Eliot swimming there as survivor of a
wrecked Spanish galleon. A true
ellicle Cats Manx has no tail at all, not even a 4 rrible Cats: Those who
imalayan or Colourpoint stump. hatemcats are ailuro=
Long-hairs are taking over ‘Jellicle Cats are black and phobes and the most
the world faster than any white, celebrated in history was
other breed of cat. This isn’t sur- Jellicle Cats are rather small, Napoleon. According to popular
prising, because a Persian coat in Jellicle Cats are merry and bright, legend, an aide-de-camp was pass-
Siamese colours is smart by any And pleasant to hear when they ame that Cat: Words for ing the door of his bedroom when
standard. If you put this coat on a caterwaul.’ ‘cat’ are very similar the he heard his Emperor calling for
good-tempered and placid darling world over and are based help.
with a highly developed sense of Old Possum's Book ofPractical Cats, on sound or action: in Arabic, ‘Opening the door hastily, and
curiosity, what Tom could resist. T.S. Eliot Basque, German and Greek we rushing into the room, he saw the
4 101, GRAFTY CALS

greatest soldier of the age, half eke-Face Persian is quite a ocks the Cat worked hard to
undressed, his countenance agitat- Preressisson in terms but G ses presidential status for
ed, beaded drops of perspiration the breed was developed in Clinton, so hard in fact that a
standing on his brow, making fre- the United States during the thir- nervous breakdown followed.
quent and convulsive lunges with ties from the Standard Red and Plagued by the press, Socks with-
his sword through the tapestry that Red Tabby Persians. The idea is drew from public life and left polit-
lined the walls, behind which a cat that their features resemble those ical matters in the safe hands of
had secreted herself. Madame of a Pekinese dog with a flat face, Hillary, President-in-waiting.
Junot was aware of this weakness large round eyes and prominent
and is reported to have gained an ears. As a result, these cats often
important political advantage over have deformed teeth and lower
the Little Corporal merely by men- jaws which makes breathing diffi-
tioning a cat at the right moment.’ cult. Personally I think a Poodle-
r Tom-cat
Face Persian would be a much bet-
Tiger in the House, ter proposition. ‘At midnight in the alley nusually kind cat:
Carl van Vechten, 1921
A Tom-cat comes to wail, ‘One evening, as the
And he chants the hate of a million family were seated round
Hitler was another ailurophobe. years the fire, they observed a mouse
As he swings his snaky tail. make its way from the cupboard,
4 ueen’ is the term used
which was near the fireplace, and
Malevolent, bony, brindled, lay itself down on the stomach of
for a female cat. To sex a Tiger and devil and bard, the cat, as a kitten would do when
kitten, lift its tail: males His eyes are coals fron the middle
have two’round openings, the anus
she is going to suck. Surprised at
of Hell
and, beneath it, the tip of the penis; And his heart is black and hard. what they saw, and afraid of dis-
the female has two ‘i’-shaped turbing the mouse, which
openings, the vertical slit below He twists and crouches and capers appeared to be full grown, they
being the vulva and the ‘dot’ above And bares his curved sharp claws, did not immediately ascertain
it the anus. You cannot see the tes- And he sings to the stars of the jun- whether it was in the act of sucking
ticles on male kittens so don’t be
gle nights or not. After remaining with the
Ere cities were, or laws. cat a considerable length of time, it
misled when you don’t find them.
returned to the cupboard. These
Beast from a world primeval, visits were repeated on several
He and his leaping clan,
other occasions and were wit-
When the blotched red moon leers
over the roofs nessed by many persons. The cat
Give voice to their scorn of man not only appeared to accept the
agdolls are very gentle, flop- mouse, but uttered that sort of
Re cats who need a great He will lie on a rug tomorrow greeting purr which the animal is
deal of attention because of And lick his silky fur, so well known to make use of
their lack of fear. They often wear And veil the brute in his yellow when she is visited by her kitten.’
white boots and mittens and eyes
should be kept away from other And play he’s tame and purr.
animals and children who might Our Dumb Companions,
harm them. Don Marquis Revd T. Jackson, c.1863
 A CAT ALPRABED 5

alue was placed on cats in orking cats can be found our cat, be she a thorough-
around 945 AD by the Welsh in all walks of life: down bred or a moggy, will, if
king Hywel Dda (Howell on the farm protecting treated with care and kind-
the Good). He passed a series of foodstuffs and at 10 Downing ness, prove a true friend and com-
laws aimed at protecting the cat Street (the British Prime Minister’s panion. Always remember that she
and establishing its value for com- residence) on mouse patrol. Ships’ is an individual with her own
pensation if killed or stolen. This cats were considered important needs — she will doubtless make
was related to ‘mousing’ ability: enough to have their own signal, those known to you early on in the
‘The price of a kitten before it can five minutes before departure, call- relationship. The cat is historically
see is one penny. If it has caught a ing them to return to ship, and cats a symbol of Liberty, Femininity
mouse, its value is raised to throughout the world have and Maternity. She is a moonchild
twopence, and afterwards to received financial support in who has been feared and wor-
fourpence. If anyone should steal exchange for mousing, guarding shipped in equal measure. In fact,
or slay the cat guarding the royal and, of course, advertising. for a small four-legged furry little
granary, he shall be compelled creature she has certainly made an
either to forfeit an ewe or as much enormous impact on our lives.
wheat as will cover the cat when
suspended by its tail.’

The Secret Life of Cats,

Robert de Laroche

quisite cats: All cats are ee End

exquisite but the most trea-
sured of all breeds has to be
the Siamese. It is suggested that
Siamese cats originated in the
Royal Palace in Siam (Thailand)
where the king employed them as
palace guards. In addition to their
elegant and aristo-cat-ic appear-
ance, they are blessed with an
intelligent and playful personality.
Because of their royal origins they
tend to be somewhat demanding
and self-centred, but they are
extremely affectionate, sing well
and can be taken for walks on a
lead.
6 10UCRAFTY CATS

How to Draw a Cat

Then add two smaller circles for the Use those lines as a guide for position- | Then add the detail and rub out the
To draw a cat’s head, start with a
snout, and pencil in a vertical and hor- _ ing the ears, eyes, nose and mouth: lines:
squashed circle, like this:
izontal cross to add dimension, like
Te
this:

(4 ‘\
{

Bees 2 —

In profile, work in a similar fashion, Draw in lines to show dimen- You can play around with the
i.e. draw a circle, and add a snout: n
for features:
sions and positio position of the snout to have
the cat looking up or down and
you can move the pupils or re-
shape the eyes to create differ-
ent expressions.

Fill in the detail:

 HOW TO DRAW A CAT

The cat’s body can be broken down in

a similar fashion. Draw a cylinder for
the body then add the head and neck,
the rear quarters, tail, shoulders and
legs.

Note the wide hind quarters and the

leg joints, and also the position where
the legs join the body. The cat’s
expression and movement can be
changed by the slant of the ears, but
body movements are always fluid and
sleek. Build your design up gradually
in pencil until you are happy with the
proportions and then fill in the detail
like this:

SS

Ags
ae
 Doughcraft
and
odellin
or how to squidge a cat
Basic Equipment
Basic dough ingredients (plain Water-based paints
flour, salt, water, cooking oil) or Paintbrushes
FIMO/Crayola Model Magic Polyurethane varnish
Modelling tools (cocktail sticks, flat- Cotton rags
ended knife etc.) White spirit
Sandpaper

If you have always wanted to try making pottery but don’t have a lowing projects can be produced with FIMO, a ‘household’ clay
kiln, experiment with these modelling techniques. that can be oven-dried and painted. FIMO is available in a number
Doughcraft is easy and great fun for all the family and you will of colours in addition to white so you can get some very clever
be surprised at how easy it is to make a huge variety of different results without even touching a paintbrush. Another revolution-
things. The dough can be dried in a normal oven to a rock-hard ary addition to modelling compounds is Crayola Model Magic. It
finish or, on a warm day, you can even dry it in the sun. The fin- feels like marshmallow and it air-dries overnight, retaining a
ished pieces can be coloured with water-based paints or felt- slightly rubbery finish. It is light, which makes it perfect for send-
tipped pens and, with a coat of varnish, your creation will have a ing through the post, doesn’t stick to fingers or clothes and can be
professional long-lasting finish that will look like pottery. painted in the normal way with water-based paints. I love it.
For those who cannot be bothered with dough, all of the fol-
 DOUGHCRAFT AND MODELLING 2

Dough recipe
To make around 20 small cats it is completely dry. To test it for
(halve or quarter my quantities if dryness, try pushing a needle into
you want to make less): it: this should not be possible.

2 cups (802z/225g) plain flour

1 cup (402/100) salt
1 cup water
1 tbs cooking oil
Troubleshooting
Mix all the above ingredients If bits fall off during the drying
together and knead until they have process you can glue them on
a soft, smooth consistency. If the again.
dough is too dry, add alittle oil; if If the dough cracks during bak-
too gritty, knead it some more, as ing the oven is too high. Lower the
the salt hasn’t been properly temperature of the oven and stick
absorbed. the figure together again by wet-
All the projects in this book are ting the bits that should join each
made up either with balls of dough other and pressing them into place.
in various sizes, rolled round and
round on a table until smooth, or
with ‘snakes’ of dough, rolled into
tubes with the palm of the hand
then cut into various lengths.
Pieces are joined together by wet-
ting and pressing gently into posi-
tion, and features can be added
with a sharp cocktail stick or knit-
Dingle and Dangle
ting needle. For ‘fur’, try pressing a
ball of dough through a garlic To make these FIMO earrings you To make these earrings, work ring attachment firmly into the top
crusher, and for badges in various will need: the FIMO between your fingers centre of the U. Follow the manu-
shapes and sizes you can use pre- until it is soft and then roll out two facturer’s drying instructions.
shaped pastry cutters, bottle tops thin sausages approximately 3in When dry and hard, paint all over
A small block of white FIMO
or whatever comes to hand in the (8cm) in length. Fold these in half with orange paint. Leave to dry
Orange, green and black paint
shape you want to achieve. to form an upside-down Ushape. then add paws, ears and body
Earring attachments
When you have completed Turn the bottoms up to form feet. stripes in green. Dot on eyes, nose
your perfect piece, put it in the Roll two small balls of FIMO and and mouth with black paint and a
oven at the very lowest setting and Most good craft shops sell a selec- pinch out ears. Press these into very fine brush. When dry, add
leave it for around six hours. tion of attachments for earrings position at the top left of your two coats of varnish, glue onto ear-
Alternatively, leave your tray of and they can also be bought by upside-down U. Roll a very thin ring attachments, attach to e<
finished items in an airing cup- mail order (see Stockist Informa- sausage and press on for tail, curl- and go out on the tiles.
board or similar warm place until tion, p.89). ing it over the back leg. Push ear
101-GRAELY CATS

Catacomb
Dress up a pair of plain plastic White FIMO To make the ginger cat, roll out a head and flatten it. Pinch out ear
haircombs with these two prima- Haircombs 2in (5cm) sausage for the body and shapes, and press onto body piece.
donnas. Paint in orange, grey, green and black a 1'nin (4cm) sausage for the tail. Flatten the end of the tail piece and
or colours of your choice Fold the body piece into an upside- curve it around the comb. Take it
You will need: UHU glue down U, then roll a ball for the off the comb, being careful to keep
the shape, and dry following the
manufacturer's instructions.
When completely dry, glue the
body /head to the front of the comb
and the tail into position on the
back. When the glue is dry, paint
in colourings and markings as
indicated on the photograph.
When paint is dry, add two coats
of varnish.
The grey tabby is made in the
same way except for the body
shape. To make the body, roll out a
sausage 12 in (4cm) thick and flat-
ten. Add two lin (2'2cm) sausages
for the legs and a 1’2in (4cm)
sausage for the tail and press into
place. Make the head fromaflat-
tened ball with the ears pinched
out. Press into position. Continue
as for the ginger cat but glue the
cat onto the front of your comb.
 DOUGHCRAFT AND MODELLING

Purr-fect Image
To make this doughcraft mirror, in shapes and press firmly onto the
addition to the basic materials you body, overlapping the dough to
will need: prevent a weak join. Make a hole
in the centre of the head large
Dough (see recipe, p.9) enough for a nail. Form a bow
A mirror measuring from dough and press over the
4hin x 5'in (11cm x 14cm) head /body join. Roll and flatten
An A4 sheet of waxed paper four balls of dough for the paws,
An A4 sheet of lightweight card adding small flattened balls for the
(a cereal box would do) paw pads and nose. Make a
Paints in brown, tan, pink, white, sausage for the tail, curling it over
black, yellow or colours of your the left top paw.
choice Bake overnight at the lowest set-
UHU glue ting on your oven or until com-
A non-stick baking sheet pletely dry.
Meanwhile, position the mirror
First, take the card and draw onto on your card cutout and glue
it a rectangle 7in x 1lin (17’2cm x down firmly right side up. When
27'2cm). With a ruler, mark off the dough is dry, rub over gently
every lin (2'2cm) on all four sides with fine sandpaper to obtain a
of the rectangle, then join up these smooth finish. Glue the dough cat
points to form a grid of lin (22cm) over the mirrored card, making a
squares. Turn to the template on nail hole in the card to match the
p.77 and copy the shape onto your position of the one already in the
grid, square by square. Then trace dough. Paint as required and,
off the cat shape you have copied when dry, apply two coats of var-
and transfer onto the waxed paper. nish.
Cut the shape from the waxed
paper (including the hole for the
mirror) and cut the outline shape
only from the card. Lay the card to
one side and place the waxed
paper cutout onto your baking
sheet, waxed side up.
Using the cutout as a guide,
form the body shape by rolling a
thick sausage circle of dough and
pressing it onto the waxed cutout.
The dough should be about *s in (2
cm) thick. Form the head and ear
I2 101 CRAFT Y.CATS

Spot that Cat

Badges are great fun and can be course cut out cat-shaped badges
simply made from a flattened ball using a biscuit cutter or by tracing
of dough with a safety pin or off one of the smaller templates at
brooch clip glued firmly to the the back of this book. You could
back. When the badge shape is even glue a small photo of your
cooked, paint on a base colour and, favourite cat onto the disc and glue
Paper Tiger when dry, draw on acat head out- an outline circle of dough over the
You can make lots of small, simple the lowest setting on your oven line with a felt-tipped pen. Then top to form a frame. If you make a
items from your left-over dough, overnight or until completely dry. fill in the colours with water-based hole in the top centre of the disc,
including this paperweight, which Rub with sandpaper for a smooth paints and a fine paintbrush. you could wear your finished mas-
is an ideal project for a child. finish and paint the whole piece You could use special effect terpiece as a necklace or add ear-
Roll a ball of dough to the brown. Leave the paint to dry and pens to give a glittery collar or, if ring attachments for big dangly
shape and size of a large egg. Roll add tan stripes for facial features, you do not feel confident about earrings.
another ball for the head and pinch white paws and tail tip, and a drawing your own cat freehand, Be sure to put two coats of var-
out ears. Press onto one end of the colourful neck bow. you could glue a magazine cutout nish on your finished work to add
egg shape. Make a sausage for the When paint is dry, add two of a cat onto the dough and var- strength.
tail and press into position. Bake at coats of varnish. nish over the top. You could of
 DOUGHCRAFT AND MODELLING 13

Cat Plaque
This fun cat plaque is simple to red, blue, pink and yellow form the body. Roll and flatten a ting on your oven or until com-
make and looks very pretty hung A rolling pin ball of dough to form the head and pletely dry, then rub over gently
on the wall. To make him useful as add two small triangles for the with fine sandpaper until smooth.
well as decorative, press in a cou- Roll out an oblong of dough mea- ears. Add two small flattened cir- Paint in the white details first and
ple of small hooks along the bot- suring approximately 6in x 4in cles for the cheeks and a small ball leave to dry. Add the nose, eyes
tom and hang your keys from him. (15cm x 10cm) and ‘in (1cm) thick. for the nose. Press on four 2in and mouth. Paint in the black body
Roll out a '2in (lcm) sausage, long (5cm) sausages for the legs and a and head, and finally the back-
enough to fit right around the thin sausage for the tail. Make a ground and frame. If the dough
In addition to the basic materials, edge, and press into position. Mark hole with a cocktail stick or match- has not secured the key hooks
you will need: the sausage every ‘sin (‘2cm) to stick in the centre top of the plaque properly, glue them in place when
form a decorative frame. Make an to hold a nail, and press in key the dough is dry. When finished,
Dough (see recipe, p.9) egg shape of dough and flatten it hooks if required. paint on two coats of varnish
Water-based paints in black, white, onto the centre of the plaque to Bake overnight at the lowest set-
14 TOU. CKARIVIGAIS

Top of his Class

You will need:

Crayola Model Magic

Pencils
Water-based paints in pink, black,
green, blue, white and yellow, or
colours of your choice

To make these simple pencil tops, gold pencil top can be seen, giving
roll a ball of Crayola Model Magic the impression of a collar. Make
and press it onto the top of your the eyes with a matchstick and fill
pencil. Add two small balls in the holes with colour.
(shaped into triangles) for the ears, The above method has also been
then press on two small balls side used to make the head for
by side for the cheeks, positioning ‘Mummy Cat’ in the ‘Pot-Purr-i
them in the middle of the head. Family’ on p.32.
Add one for the nose where the
cheeks join together and one for
the chin, directly below the cheeks.
Press a lin (2'2cm) flattened
sausage under the chin to form a
bow, with a small ball in the mid-
dle for the knot.
Leave to dry overnight and then
paint the cheeks, chin, head and
ear stripes in pink. When the pink
is dry, paint the nose black and fill
in where the cheeks and chin join
with a line of black for the mouth.
The eyes are painted as half circles
either side of the nose and directly
above the cheeks. Fill in the eyes
with green paint and paint the bow
in blue, leaving white spots show-
ing through. Varnish.
Use the same method to make
the black and white cat, but leave
out the bow and position the cat
head so that a bit of the original
 Mashed
Cats
Papier maché is a cheap, fun, rewarding pastime that can produce
some stunningly decorative results. It also helps the environment
by using up those piles of newspaper that might otherwise be
burnt.
There are several approaches to this craft, each giving different
results; the various techniques are described next to the projects
they were used for.
Papier maché can be scrunched, sanded or shredded to create
different finishes. You can add layers and layers to give the effect
of china or stone, or you can leave the finish rough to give the
impression of fur. With the addition of several coats of varnish
you can ensure that the finished item will be hard-wearing and
you can use your painting skills to present your cat in a suitable
light, taking into account, of course, how extremely fussy he is
about his appearance.
In producing this section I solicited the help of a wonderful cat
artist: Paula Murray has been making cats for a number of years
Basic Equipment and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between her master-
Newspaper Scissors
pieces and the real thing. However, if you follow her basic instruc-
_ Wallpaper paste Pencils tions and put some time and care into your project, you too can
_ A paste bow! Water-based paints including white achieve the professional finish that separates the men from the
_ Balloons, plasticine or moulds emulsion moggies. My neighbour, Judy Newman, also tried her skills and
Petroleum jelly Paintbrushes produced the candlesticks on p.24.
Sellotape Polyurethane varnish Do not limit yourself to the items I have made. Start with some-
Sandpaper Cotton rags thing easy like the ‘Dishy Cat’ on p.16 and progress to the more
Copydex glue White spirit difficult projects when you have more confidence. Once you fee!
An old, blunt kitchen knife
happy with the results you can make your own bow/s, °
cups and ornaments. I guarantee there will be no stopping \
16 101 CRAFTY CAIS

Dishy Cat
This is a very simple project to of scissors. If you see any lumps
start off with. In addition to the and bumps, gently remove these
basics you will need: with sandpaper.
Paint the whole dish with
A dish (any simple shape will do) to white emulsion and, when it is
use as a mould completely dry, trace off the tem-
Paints in white, green and black plate on p.77 onto your dish with a
A jar of water for washing out brushes pencil. Paint the whole area out-
side your tracing with two coats of
To make this dish, tear a newspa- green paint (I have used Deka-Lac,
per into 3-4in (7-10cm) squares a water-based, high-gloss enamel).
and mix up a bowl of wallpaper When these are dry, carefully out-
paste according to the manufactur- line the cat and his facial features
er’s instructions. If you put the in black paint, using a fine brush.
made-up paste into an airtight con- Leave to dry, then apply two coats
tainer it will keep for about a week. of varnish.
Take the dish and cover it liber-
ally with petroleum jelly. Dip the
pieces of paper into your paste and
squeeze off the excess with your
fingers.
Place the pasted paper on the
greased dish piece by piece to form
one complete layer. Smooth out air
bubbles or creases with your fin-
gers and leave for 24 hours to dry.
Repeat the above process until you
have completed four layers of
paper.
When the last layer is dry,
gently lift the papier maché layer
from the dish. You might need a
blunt kitchen knife to lever the
edges off. Trim off any excess
paper around the edges with a pair
 MASHED CATS 17

Russian Cats
These stacking cats are perennial point or you could have a problem another layer of paper. them, paint in the detail using the
favourites and easy to make. For getting the plasticine out. If you do To make the cats, use the same pencil marks as a guideline. You
moulds I used plasticine lumps, find it difficult to remove the plas- method as for the dish opposite. can then add cat markings of your
coated in petroleum jelly, in pro- ticine, slit the dried papier maché Once they are completed and coat- choice to the surrounding areas
gressively larger sizes. A word of shape from top to bottom down ed with white emulsion, draw on Leave to dry, then apply two coats
warning, however: make sure that the centre back and, when you the facial features with a pencil of varnish.
the base of the cat is the widest have removed the mould, add and, when you are happy with
18 101 CRAFTY CATS

Giiach

This handy note pad is purrfect for and, when dry, paint the area
recording cat calls and easier to inside the dotted line with one coat
make than it looks. There is a tem- of blue paint.
plate for the shape in the back of Tear off sheets of toilet tissue
the book. Get the message? and immerse them in wallpaper
paste. Squeeze out excess moisture
You will need, in addition to the and begin to apply them to the
basic equipment: areas outside the dotted line, start-
ing with the feet. Build up the lay-
An A4 sheet of medium-weight card- ers of scrunched tissue paper until
board they are approximately lin (2'2cm)
Toilet tissue thick, adding extra thicknesses to
A block of 3in (8cm) square ‘Post It’ the paws, cheeks and nose, ear sur-
notelets rounds and forehead. If in doubt,
A pen ask your favourite cat to model for
Paints in ochre, white, pink, black and you and pad out his finer points.
blue (I have used Deka-Lac water- When this is completely dry,
based enamel) coat the tissue-clad areas in ochre
A pair of cat’s safety eyes measuring paint, then, with a fine brush and
approx in (1cm) (see Stockist black paint, outline the nose and
Information, p.89) mouth. When dry, paint in the
3 strands of horsehair or stiff thread nose and the centres of the ears in
for whiskers pink. Next, using a lin (2'2cm)
A sewing needle brush, paint in stripes, paws,
cheeks and chin in white. Finally,
To make this cat, first take the card add another coat of blue to the cen-
and draw onto it a rectangle 1lin x tre panel and, when dry, add two
8in (27%2cm x 20cm). With a ruler, coats of varnish to the whole piece.
mark off every lin (2'2cm) on all Push the eyes into position as
four sides of the rectangle, then indicated on the template and,
join up these points to form a grid with a long sewing needle, thread
of lin (2!2cm) squares. Turn to the whiskers through the cheeks,
template on p.78 and copy the catching them down with adhesive
shape onto your grid, square by if they refuse to curl in the right
square. direction.
Cut around the outside shape. Glue a note pad to the centre of
Then cover the whole cardboard the plain blue area and push a pen
cat with pasted newspaper and in through the card, just above the
leave to dry. Coat with emulsion cat’s right paw.
 MASHED CATS ig

Cat Mint

This project and the two following ping with pasted strips and carv-
ones use a carving technique. ing until you are happy with the
Don’t panic: remember you are shape and firmness. * Add a raised
dealing with paper, so the process rim of paper around the bottom
is more like peeling an apple than edge, leaving a hollow for the stop-
carving a lump of wood. If you per.
want to try out your skills before Make a hole at the centre of the
embarking on a major project, take hollow by inserting first a craft
a lump of plasticine and see if you knife and then a pencil with a piece
can carve a cat’s face into it. » of medium sandpaper wrapped

In addition to the basic materials, (Continued overleaf)

you will need:

A round balloon
A cork or plastic stopper (maybe off an
old spice jar)
A craft knife

To make this cat, coat a part-inflat-

ed balloon with petroleum jelly
and then cover with strips of torn
newspaper pasted on both sides
with wallpaper paste. Apply three
layers and allow to dry. Add crum-
pled dry newspaper for the front
legs of the cat and attach with sell-
otape. Crumple a ball of dry news-
paper for the head. Now cover the
whole shape with pasted strips,
making sure you do no more than
three layers before allowing it to
dry completely in a warm place.
The shape is created by adding
paper pulp, made by kneading
pasted paper with the fingertips on
a hard surface and carving the
detail with a craft knife when dry.
Continue adding the pulp, wrap-
20 101 CRARIN-GATS

Cat Mint (contd)

Stop that Cat
around it to form afile. File away This big tom is designed to hold to remove crinkles and loose bits markings by flicking a brush
the papier maché from the centre the kitchen door open to ensure and then paint with white emul- loaded with paint. Make sure that
outwards until you create a hole easy access to tins of pilchards. He sion. The markings have been one colour has dried before apply-
that is the correct size for your cork is made in exactly the same way as worked by applying layers of ing a second, and practise on a
or stopper. Make sure it’s big ‘Cat Mint’ (see p.19), so follow shaded colour with a sponge, plain piece of card before tackling
enough to get your money out — those instructions up to *. using a paintbrush for the more the cat himself. When the paint is
cats can be very stingy. Next, cut a solid lines. You can also splatter on dry, add two coats of varnish.
slot in the cat’s back and paint both In addition to the basic equipment
these openings with glue to seal you will need:
the edges.
The ears are made with a strip A round balloon
of pasted paper folded into a A large stone approximately 4in
square and then a triangle. Curve (10cm) in diameter
the triangle in half again, pinching Polyfilla
the narrow top to form the ear A pairof yellow %in (2cm) safety
point and pasting the wider bot- cat’s eyes (see Stockist Information,
tom into position on the cat’s head. p.89)
Paste further strips of paper over A craft knife
the ear to secure it firmly to the A small natural sponge
head and cover the join.
When the cat is dry, sand it When you are happy with the cat’s
thoroughly all over to remove crin- shape and firmness, take your craft
kles and loose bits and then paint knife and cut him across the back,
on a coat of white emulsion. Draw almost in half. Burst the balloon
on the eyes, nose, mouth and paws and insert the stone, wrapped in
and, when you are happy with the newpaper. Seal the join with strips
expression, paint over the lines of paper and make sure that the
with black paint and a very fine underneath of the cat is strong
paintbrush. Leaving the white enough to support the weight. If
patches white, paint the rest of the not, you should either use a small-
cat in black emulsion. For extra er stone or add extra layers of
detail add small dots of black paint paper to the bottom.
over the white edges to give a Make and attach ears as for ‘Cat
furry effect. When the paint is dry, Mint’. Make holes for positioning
add two coats of varnish. the eyes and fill with Polyfilla, then
In case you were wondering, the press in the eyes being careful to
balloon should have burst by now! get the angle right. Remove sur-
plus Polyfilla from the surface and
leave to dry.
Sand the whole cat thoroughly
MASHED CATS. ZI
101 CRAFTY CATS

Cat Literate

These cats are made using the

same methods as for ‘Cat Mint’.
The actual structure they sit on is
decorated with decoupage (see
p-62).

In addition to the basic equipment,

you will need the following:

2 egg-sized stones
2 pieces of heavyweight card, each
measuring 15in x 5in (38cm x
13cm)
A large sheet of decorative wrapping
paper

To make each book end, wrap the

stone in dry newspaper. Crumple
more paper into a ball for the head
and add more crumpled paper as
necessary to achieve the body
shape, keeping it together with
 MASHED CATs 23

sellotape. Now cover the shape

with strips of well pasted newspa-
per. Continue as for ‘Cat Mint’
(p.19) but do not make the money
slot or the stopper hole. When the
cat is complete and thoroughly
sanded, paint with white emulsion
and decorate as for ‘Stop that Cat’
(p.20).
To make the base, take your
strip of cardboard and fold it to
make a Yin (23cm) upright back
and a 6in (15cm) flat base. Cover
on both sides with about 25 layers
of pasted newspaper, allowing it to
dry in three-layer stages. (Take
care to dry it at a right angle using
weights as props.) Sand well, then
paste on pieces of decorative wrap-
ping paper. Apply two coats of
varnish to give a protective finish.
24 107 CRAFTY CATS

Cats by
Candlelight
These two smart candlesticks have the plaster of Paris application, the
been made from papier maché, and finished head should be around
then coated with plaster of Paris to the same size as the finished base
make them fireproof. to ensure a good balance.) When
the last coat has dried, paint with
In addition to the basic equipment white emulsion and then decorate
you will need: (I have used Deka-Lac water-based
enamel paints). Finally, add two
2 cones or cardboard cylinders for base coats of varnish.
260z (750g) plaster of Paris powder
N.B. Although the plaster of Paris
Take a cardboard cylinder (a toilet assists in fireproofing your candle-
roll inner would do) or a knitting sticks, never tempt providence by
wool cone and sellotape to it a leaving candles to burn right down
screwed-up ball of newspaper for to the end!
the head.
Tear up strips of newspaper
and paste them onto the body and
head shape in layers, leaving an
indentation at the top of the head
big enough to take a household
candle loosely. Check that the size
of the hole remains constant as you
build up layers of paper. When
you have built up a few layers, add
folded triangles for the ears as
described in the instructions for
‘Cat Mint’ (see p.19).
Continue adding layers until
you are happy with the shape. Mix
a paste from plaster of Paris, fol-
lowing manufacturer’s instruc-
tions. When the cat is completely
dry begin applying plaster with a
lin (2'2cm) brush. Apply atotal of
four coats, leaving each coat to dry
for approximately six hours. (After
 Fabricated
@ats
There is really no excuse in this life for throwing things out. This is
how Ifeel and, as a result, nobody comes to visit me because there
isn't any room to sit down. But seriously, that first pair of nursery
curtains could last you your whole life through — all that is needed
is a sharp pair of scissors andalittle bit of imagination.
Fabric can be torn into strips and plaited, cut into shapes and
patched or cut and pieced together into pussycats of all shapes
and sizes. Even when you have finished making the projects in
this book you are bound to have some left over. Don't thow it
away: use it as stuffing for a very smart cat cushion for puss to rest
her weary little head on.
If you can sew then, of course, the world is your oyster; but if
you can't, that's no excuse, as you can use glue instead. If you
don't like the colour of your fabric, dye it; if you don't like the tex-
Basic Equipment ture, bead it. There are some wonderful special effect paints avail-
able which are perfect for adding the odd whisker or two, and you
A ragbox offabric offcuts Scissors can also obtain bonding fabric which is great for no-sew
Sewing thread to match fabrics used An iron and ironing board appliques. Use your fabric with other mediums such as paper,
Sewing needles A marker pen
wood, and even pipe cleaners. Until you try it you will never
Pins Copydex glue
know your own purr-tential.
Here are a few ideas to start you off.
26 10L CRAFTY Cats

Hooked-on Cat
There are very few cats who allow
themselves to be walked on, so this
hooked rug could be made espe-
cially for feline indoor sunbathing
or perhaps hung on the wall. You
should have enough materials
around the house; if not, you can
scour jumble and car boot sales for
interesting pieces of clothing to cut
up. Wool is the best material to use
for hooked and plaited rugs but
the only real limitation in selecting
your fabrics is wear and tear and
aftercare. If you happen to have an
aristocat, one would assume she
would be happy reclining on vel-
vet and brocade; the average kind
of moggy might be better placed
on wool.
The old hometown tradition is
to give your brand new rug the
place of honour in the parlour and
then, when it becomes a little ‘dog-
eared’, to move it to the kitchen,
then the hallway, finally relegating
it to the position of ‘doormat’. Rug
hooking has always been a com-
munal activity so you can involve
all your friends and family — and
no doubt Cat will want to help
paw through some fabrics too.

In addition to the basic equipment,

you will need:

Cotton fabric scraps, weighing

approximately 4% 1b (2kg) in total.
We used the following colours:
Cat: tan, mustard, beige and peach
Outline: black
 FABRICATED CATS 27

Bag a Cat
Background: green, yellow and blue, lin (22cm) on all four sides of the line of the design. When you reach Here is a nifty way of taking your
in plain and printed fabric rectangle, and join up these points the end of the strip of fabric, pull it cat shopping with you. Hook a
Fringe: green and black to form a grid of lin (2%2cm) through to the front and trim it to portrait of your favourite cat onto a
squares. Turn to the template on the length of the loops. Do not cut square of hessian, back it with
A rug hook (an open-ended steel hook p-78 and copy the shape onto your the loops. another square, add a handle and
set in a wooden handle; see grid, square by square. At this When you have completed your voila!
Stockist Information, p.89). stage you should draw on the cat’s design and the background it is
N.B. A latchhook won't work. markings: stripes, splodges or time to add the fringe. Cut strips of In addition to the basic equipment
A frame 34in x 22in (87cm x 56cm) whatever you fancy. fabric measuring 1'2in x 6in (4cm x you will need:
This can be made very simply by It is a good idea to work all the 15cm), fold in half lengthways and
nailing 4 lengths of 2in x lin outlines first and then select fabrics cut diagonally across the double
(5cm x 24cm) wood together to form to fill in. The background is made thickness so each end is pointed. A pieceof hessian sacking, 20in
a square. Hammer flat pieces of up of a series of wavy lines criss- Then hook both ends through the (50cm) square
wood diagonally across the corners crossing over each other and hessian, leaving them free and A wooden frame, 18in (47cm) square
to make it sturdy. worked with different coloured working the strips closely together. Nails or carpet tacks
2 pieces of hessian, one 34in x 22in fabrics. You might want to work Work to a depth of 4in (10cm) and Marker pen
(87cm x 56cm), the other 36in the cat before tackling the back- fold the remaining border back on Around 10in (25cm) of each of the
x 24in (89cm x 58cm) ground; alternatively you could itself to form a double hem. Stitch following coloured fabrics (I used
A sheet of A3 paper draw in the wavy lines now but down. cottons): purple, mauve, cream,
Nails or carpet tacks leave a 6in (15cm) border of hess- For neatness it is a good idea to white, yellow, peach, dark green,
ian free for fringing and hemming. back your rug with a second piece bright green, black, red, blue
To make the rug it is advisable to The fabric should be cut or torn of hessian, folded in at the edges Around 1 yard (1 metre) of fabric for
work on a frame. However, if you into strips (as long as you can and stitched into position around
are going to insist on scrunching make them) measuring *in (2cm) the outside of the completed piece. (Continued overleaf)
the whole thing up on your lap, do in width. The raw edges should be
be careful that you don’t have any folded into the centre and pressed
four-legged friends helping you, as flat to avoid fraying. Begin by out-
you could mistakenly hook lining the cat in black fabric.
through the odd tail thinking it is a Choose a rag strip and, with your
length of fabric. left hand, hold the strip behind the
Once you have knocked togeth- frame. With your right hand, insert
er a frame, stretch the smaller piece the hook through the front of the
of hessian over it, tacking it down hessian, pick up the strip with the
first at the four corners and then hook and pull it through to the
approximately every '2in (1cm). front, making a small but firm
The hessian should now be taut. loop. Skip a few threads, then push
In the centre of the framed hess- the hook in again from front to
ian, draw a rectangle 15in x 9in back and pull through the next
(37'2cm x 22'2cm) with black felt- loop. The loops should be as close
tipped pen. Then mark off every together as possible, following the
28 TOUCRAP LEY, CATS

Bag a Cat (contd.)

the background (I cut up a pair of hooking (following instructions for

tan leggings) ‘Hooked-on Cat’, p.26), working
2 pieces of backing fabric, each 24in the cat and flowers first and finish-
(60cm) square (I used red hessian) ing with the background.
Another piece of the same fabric, 45in Remove from frame. Turn back
x 5in (114cm x 13cm) raw hessian edges and either stitch
A wooden frame, 18in (47cm) square or glue them down securely.
(see instructions for ‘Hooked-on Take one square of the red hess-
Cat’, p.26) ian or backing material of your
A rug hook (see instructions for choice and fold in a *sin (2cm) bor-
‘Hooked-on Cat’, p.26) der at each edge. Press down with
Heavy-duty hessian-coloured cotton an iron.
thread (or use normal cotton double) Centre the finished panel onto
A ruler the square of backing material and
A knitting needle stitch into position, preferably with
A sewing machine a machine. The backing material
forms a frame around the panel.
To make the bag, first stretch the Fold in the edges of the second
hessian sacking over your frame piece of backing material in the
and tack into place. same way and stitch down. This
With a marker pen, draw a 17in piece forms the back. Join the back
(42'2cm) square onto the hessian. and front along the side and bot-
Mark off every lin (22cm) on all tom edges. Fold the remaining
four sides of the square, then join strip of backing material in half
up these points to form a grid of and machine up the seam. Push it
lin (2%2cm) squares. Turn to the through to the right side using a
template on p.79 and copy the knitting needle or similar. Sew
design onto the hessian square by securely to side seams of bag.
square. Using the colour key, begin
 FABRICATED CATS 2g

Plait-a-Cat Mat
Plaiting is another way of creating until your circle measures approxi-
a rug cheaply and easily. Once mately 37in (94cm) in diameter.
again you can use a selection of Fold in and stitch the final ends
fabric oddments. This rug was securely to the rug.
made with plain and printed cot- Take the sheet of card and draw
tons with some velvet plaited in for onto it a rectangle 12in x 9in (30cm
good measure. The black cats have x 22%cm). With a ruler, mark off
been cut from felt and stitched on every lin (22cm) on all four sides
when the rug was complete. of the rectangle, then join up these
Alternatively you could apply points to form a grid of lin (22cm)
them with a fabric adhesive such squares. Turn to the template on
as Copydex. p.76 and copy the cat shape onto
your grid, square by square, mak-
In addition to the basic equipment, ing sure that you copy the ‘Plait-a-
you will need: Cat-Mat’ tail. Cut around the
shape. Lay the shape onto a square
2ulb (1'%kg) cotton and velvet fabrics of black felt and outline with tai-
8 pieces of black felt, each 12in (31cm) lor’s chalk.
square Cut out the image. Repeat until
An A3 piece of card you have eight cat silhouettes. Pin
White tailor’s chalk the cats into position around the
rug, overlapping the tail ends.
To make this rug, select, cut and Stitch neatly into position with
press your fabrics as for ‘Hooked- small, straight stitches, or glue
on Cat’ (see p.26). down with a fabric glue.
It is a good idea to stitch the You may find that your rug
lengths together to form strips curls up in the middle when you
measuring approximately 5ft first lay it on the floor. It can be
(150cm) or long enough to com- flattened quite easily by treading it
plete an area of colour. Take three down, rolling on it or inviting 24
strips and knot the ends together. cats to afternoon tea in front of the
This will form the centre of your fire.
rug. Plait them together evenly
until your strips are used up, then
stitch new lengths onto the ends in
colours of your choice. When you
have a good length of plaiting you
can begin stitching the plait edge
to edge into a circle, taking care to
keep it flat. Continue in this way
30 101 CRAFTY CATS

Casbah
and his Wife
Casbah cat is a very exotic charac- To make Casbah, first trace off the
ter who spends most of his time at template on p.80 and have it
his London-based publishers. His enlarged to A3 at your local copy
wife Cassandra prefers life in the shop. Then carefully trace off and
country but both share a taste for cut out the pieces as follows.
quality and comfort. Casbah comes (When cutting through two thick-
from a well-bred family who pur- nesses, make sure that the second
chased his coat from Liberty of shape is reversed.)
London. He married slightly Fold fabric in half and cut body
beneath himself, since Cassandra’s shape once through two thickness-
coat originated from an offcut box es. Lay body gusset against fold as
somewhere in Wales. indicated and cut once through
Both coats are made from two thicknesses. Cut one tail piece.
upholstery-weight cottons suitable Cut one head gusset. Cut eight legs
for all climates. (four through two thicknesses).
Cut two ears through two thick-
nesses. Cut one head through two
To make Casbah or his wife you
thicknesses. From grey felt, cut
will need:
four paws. From peach felt, cut
four large pads and sixteen small
Various offcuts of heavyweight cotton
pads.
fabric or one piece measuring 361n
Working on the wrong side of
(91cm) square
the fabric, take the two body pieces
A piece of dark greyfelt, 6in (15cm) and the body gusset and pin the
square gusset into position matching
A piece of peach-coloured felt, 6in
points A and C. Machine into
(15cm) square place, then join back pieces from
Polyester stuffing
points B to C (A to B should
2 large black beads or buttons (use
remain open).
cutouts ofblack felt or safety eyes if Take the two head pieces and
you are making this for a child)
the head gusset and pin the gusset
Oddment of black wool and white wool into position on both sides, match-
A strip of corrugated card for collar ing points C and A. Join head from
Paint in colours of your choice
C to B leaving A to B open. Stuff
A jewel for collar (optional)
body and head and handstitch
A sewing machine
open edge of head to open edge of
A knitting needle
body, adding stuffing to the neck
area as you go to make it firm.
 FABRICATED CATS ol

Place ear pieces right side

together and machine around edge Cat-ch
from A to B. Turn the right way
out and make a machine line from These cats are made for juggling
A to B to form a raised edge. and have been filled with barley.
Handstitch ears to head in position However, if you really want to tor-
marked on head gusset with dot- ment your feline you could add
ted line. some catnip or fill them with pot
Place two leg pieces right sides pourri and leave them lying
together and machine all around around the house. If you plan to do
the outer edge from A to B, leaving this, make sure you machine stitch
bottom open. Turn the right side the pieces very firmly together.
out and stuff. Repeat for other legs.
Carefully stitch paws to bottom of You will need:
legs and glue on one large and four
small paw pads. Stitch top edges of Oddments offabric (You can use
legs to body in positions indicated woollen, cord, brushed cotton or
by dotted lines. velvet fabrics. Whatever you choose,
Fold tailpiece in half lengthwise, make sure it is slightly stretchy, 1.e.
right sides together, and machine don’t use cotton.)
stich from A to B. Push through to bb (225g) of wheat or barley
right side with a knitting needle
and lightly stuff bottom half. To make these cats, first trace off
Handstitch to body. the templates on p.84 and mark up
With black wool, embroider a your fabric.
triangle for the nose at the point Cut out the pieces as indicated
where the gusset meets the head on the pattern. Place the two body
shape, and a straight line down the pieces right sides together and
front seam with a mouth at the bot- machine or handstitch around
tom. Firmly sew on beads or but- them, approximately '2in (1cm) in
tons for eyes or cut out circles of from the edge, leaving a 2in (5cm)
black felt and stick these on. With a opening at the bottom. Turn the
needle, thread three strands of right way out, fill with barley and
black or white wool through the stitch up the opening.
face for whiskers and knot near the Take an ear piece and fold it
fabric to prevent them slipping from corner to corner, right sides
will& in
through. together, to form a triangle. Stitch
To make a collar, cut a in (lcm) together one side, turn it the right
strip of corrugated card to fit way out and fold it in half again the base). Repeat for other ear. push in and sew up the bottom
around the neck with a ‘2in (1cm) with the open side forming the bot- Take a leg piece, turn one edge edge. Repeat for the other three
overlap. Paint to required colours tom. Tuck in raw edges and stitch in on itself and from the other edge legs and stitch firmly into position
and glue around neck, adding a to the head in a V shape (separat- roll the material into a sausage. on each side of the body. Do the
iewel at the front if required. ing the front and back slightly at Sew down the folded edge, then same with the tail.
32. 101.GRAFT GATS
Water-based paint (I have used Deka- For Mum’s dress, cut a strip of
Lac water-based enamels) fabric measuring 10in x 2%2in (25cm
Oddments offabric and lace trims x 6cm) and stitch a row of running
A piece of muslin, 8in (20cm) square stitches along one long edge. Place
Pot-pourri this around her waist, pull the
An oddment of raffia thread to gather the fabric and join
at the back when it fits snugly.
Wrap and glue a small piece of fab-
To make the mother cat, take a ric around each arm to form
piece of Model Magic and roll it sleeves and then take a 5in (12'2
into a sausage measuring approxi- cm) length of lin (2"2cm)-wide lacy
mately lin (2'2cm) in diameter and trim and wrap it around her shoul-
1‘2in (4cm) in length. Roll out ders to form a collar. Glue the ends
another piece half the diameter down at the front.
and 4in (10cm) in length and push The hat is made from three
the centre of this onto the top of lengths of raffia plaited together.
the first sausage to form a T shape. Leaving a hole in the centre big
This forms the cat’s body and enough to sit over the ears, form a
arms. Bend up the ends of the arms continuous circle with the raffia
to form paws and push down plaits, stitching or gluing each row
either side of the centre to form together as you go until you are
shoulders. happy with the size of the brim.
The head is made from one The basket should be made in the
large ball for the main piece with same way, but ensure that the top
two smaller balls for the cheeks is wide enough to carry the kitten.
and a tiny ball for the nose. Add The handle is a single plait stitched
small triangles for ears and press each side of the basket and knotted
completed head onto top of at the ends.
body / shoulders. The dressed kitten’s outfit is
Make the head and body for the made in the same way as her
dressed kitten in the same way, mums, using smaller pieces of fab-
The Pot-Purr-1 scaling down the size. The baby Gs

Family kitten is made from a 2in (5cm)

sausage of Crayola with the ends
Next, fill the centre
muslin square with pot-pourri,
of the

joined to form a doughnut ring. A pull all the edges of the muslin
I really enjoyed making this cat dress the cats in whatever fabric ball with the ears pinched out together to form a bag and secure
family because it was so simple you choose to suit the mood of the makes the head. Press this onto the firmly with cotton. Sit Mother cat
and effective. Mum is sitting on a day. centre of the doughnut. on the muslin bag and attach the
muslin bag full of lavender but you Set the heads and bodies aside dressed kitten’s paw to her skirt
could use any pot-pourri you like. You will need: to dry overnight. They will dry toa with Copydex. Finally, put baby
Apart from one row of running flexible finish which you should kitten in her basket.
stitch at the top of the skirt, no Crayola Model Magic (see Stockist then paint in colours of your own
sewing is involved and you can Information, p.89) choice.
 FABRICATED CATs oo

Peggy's Wedding

Cats are not known for their fideli-

ty, in fact they can be downright
promiscuous. It’s refreshing, there-
fore, to see Peggy cat off to take her
vows with the groom dressed in
his sprayproof velvets and Dad
wearing a costume that epitomizes
his homespun traditional Scots val-
ues. Even the mother of the bride is
keeping her claws hidden in case
they catch on her beautiful brocade
gown. All this finery hides very
humble beginnings — old-fashioned
clothes pegs and a few ends of
wide fancy ribbon.

To make this family you will need:

4 old-fashioned wooden clothes pegs in appropriate colours. Cut small piece of white net, run a thread from a 2in (5cm) length of 2in
4 pink pipe cleaners triangles of felt and glue these into across the top edge to gather it, (5cm) purple velvet ribbon, cut in
Scraps offelt for the ears position at the back of the heads to secure the gather with a knot and half lengthwise and glued around
Wide (2-3in/5—7cm) and narrow form ears. glue this into position around the outside of the peg prongs. Glue
fancy ribbons or fabric offcuts Cut your pipe cleaners into 5in Peggy’s waist. (If you prefer not to a %4in (2cm) strip of white satin
including tartan and lace (see (12cm) lengths and turn back each glue you can fold and sew instead.) around the top of the peg to forma
Stockist Information, p.89) end “sin (‘2cm) to form paws. Lay Then glue a 5in (13cm) piece of shirt and then tie and glue the red
Ready-made ribbon roses (or make the pipe cleaner over a length of narrow blue ribbon around the bow around the neck. Finally, he
your own from ribbon or paper) 54in (2cm) ribbon, fold the ribbon in waist, crossing it at the back to carries a ready-made red ribbon
A fine-nibbed black drawing pen half and glue down on itself to form a sash. Take scraps of very rose because he is a romantic.
Paints (I have used Deka-Lac water- form sleeves. Glue the centre of the narrow lace and glue one of these The same principles apply to the
based enamels) ribbon-covered pipe cleaner across around the neck, crossing at the making of the mother and father of
A fine paintbrush the back of the peg just below the front to form a collar, and two the bride. Mother’s dress has two
neck. more around the bottom of the ready-made roses glued to the
For the bride’s dress, cut a 3'2in sleeves to form cuffs. Glue a trian- shoulders and Father’s kilt is one
Begin by painting the faces with a (9cm) strip of 2in (5em)-wide white gle of net to the back of the head to length of lin (22cm) tartan ribbon
base coat in the colour of your satin ribbon and glue it around her make a veil, then add one ready- wound twice around the body ovs
choice. When that is dry, draw on middle. All glued joins should be made ribbon flower for a head- a plain black satin wrap.
the facial features with a fine pen at the back. Then cut a 5in (13cm) dress and three for a bouquet.
and then paint in the cat markings piece of 2in (5cm) voile ribbon or a The groom’s trousers are made
 Cats in
Stitches

This section is for that cat-egory of people who like to work with a s 3
needle and thread, and includes some very eye cat-ching patch- ° .
work designed by Roger and Janet Quilter. I have included a Basic Equipment . .
couple of needlepoint projects for those who don’t have the time Cottons Oddments of embroidery canvas
to stitch large projects, a bib, which would be great fun for a child Needles and pins Scissors
to stitch for his/her new baby brother/sister, and a simple pair of Assorted cotton fabrics A blackwaterproof felt-tipped pen
knitted child’s mittens. ais or tes
 CATS IN STIMCHES go

Needlepoint Oddments of Anchor stranded cotton

(I used turquoise, yellow, fuschia,

and
mauve, green, lime, yellow, red,
orange, bright pink and black)

embroidery
A *in (1em) buckle and loop
A pieceof glove or chamois leather,
11%in x in (29cm x 1cm)
A tapestry (blunt-ended) needle
Masking tape
Copydex glue
Cat-herine’s Collar
To make the collar, first bind the
edges of the canvas with masking
If you can’t think what to give tape to prevent it catching on the
HER for Christmas, spend an cottons. Then begin working from
evening using up old oddments of the chart in half-cross stitch, using
canvas and thread and make her four strands of cotton. Every sym-
an exclusive designer collar. This bol on the chart represents one
one is worked in half-cross stitch, stitch and the key indicates which
using the pattern chart below. symbol relates to which colour.
However, it would be a nice ges- When the needlework is com-
ture if you came up with your own pleted, remove the masking tape
design, perhaps incorporating HER and turn the waste edges of canvas
name in lurex threads, or stitching into the centre (trim if necessary).
in some beads. Glue these to the back of your
work with Copydex. Trim and fold
back the curved end and glue into through the metal loop and slide it the collar and glue into place.
You will need:
position. up to the buckle end, positioning it Make a series of holes with a
Place the buckle into position approximately 1'2in (4cm) from the needle through all thicknesses of
A piece of 14 holes per inch (hpi), through the straight end, fold back buckle. Catch into position with a fabric, discussing comfortable
single-thread tapestry canvas mea- the waste canvas and stitch stitch. Cut a strip of chamois positions with your cat before pro-
suring 14in x 2in (36cm x 5cm) down firmly. Thread the collar leather to fit the complete length of ceeding.
101 CRAEITYCATS

Cat Fob

Keep your Reys safe on this cat fob To make the key fob, first bind
and use up your scraps. your pieces of canvas with mask-
ing tape to prevent it catching on
You will need: threads. Begin stitching, working
in half-cross stitch and reading the
2 pieces of 14 holes per inch (hp1) can- chart below. Use four strands of
vas, each 4in (10cm) square cotton. When stitching is complet-
Anchor stranded cottons in black, ed, trim and turn under raw edges
orange, beige and green of canvas and place back and front
A key ring attachment (see Stockist wrong sides together. Sew careful-
Information, p.89) ly together around the outside
A small amount of polyester wadding edge, leaving a gap for stuffing.
A tapestry needle Stuff and sew up gap. Sew key ring
Masking tape attachment to centre top.
 GATSIN'S PIGCHES ov.

leat s Patchwork
Whiskers
This baby bib would make a lovely First trace off the template on p.85 The next three projects are made Red fabric for the background, 5in x
gift from a young child to his/her and transfer it onto the centre of using patchwork or applique tech- 4in (12cm x 10cm)
new brother/sister. The design is the bib. Using six strands of nique. Once you have made the Patterned fabric for the back, 5in x 4in
stitched onto a very cheap bib (you stranded cotton, stitch over the needle case or the pin cushion you (12'cm x 10cm)
can buy them in packs of three outline of the cat in backstitch, will want to go on to bigger and Polyester filling
from baby shops such as working the feet, arms and head in better things. All three were A ruler
Mothercare) and makes it look orange, the dungarees in red, the designed by Janet and Roger A marking pencil
very special. collar, tie and eyes in blue and the Quilter. A knitting needle or pencil
nose and mouth in pink.
To make Patch, trace off all shapes
You will need:
from the template on p.81 onto the
A cheap white bib Patch the Pin correct colours of fabric and cut
out. Mark up the fabric and clip all
Anchor stranded cotton in red, orange,
blue and pink Cushion curves.
Tack-hem curved sides of eyes
An embroidery needle (A). Position on upper part of head
You will need:
An indelible pen or embroidery trans- (B) and hem stitch into place. Tack-
fer pen Small pieces of cotton or polyester, 4in hem straight edge of cheeks (C)
(10cm) square, in black, white and
green (Continued overleaf)
38 IOUICRAFTY- CATS

Patch the Pin Cushion (contd.)

and stitch to (B). Now tack round

whole head shape. Tack round two
sides of ears (D) to form rounded
point. Stitch to top of head.
With waterproof felt-tipped
pen, draw in pupil of eyes,
upturned triangle for nose and
spots on cheeks for whiskers (try
pen on spare piece of fabric first to
avoid ‘blotting’).
Tack-hem body (E). Add front
paw (F), stitching in place. Tack-
hem inner wavy line of white
patch (G) and stitch to rear leg (H).
Cut away excess black behind
white patch. Add white paw (I) in
similar fashion. Tack round whole
back leg, position on body and
stitch in place, changing thread to
match. First stitch together the
three pieces of tail (J, K and L) then
hem round complete tail and stitch
into place.
Press carefully but do not press
seams open. Tack to background
and stitch into place. Pin the back-
ground and back material together,
right sides facing each other, with
a ‘nin (lcm) seam allowance. Leave
Smokey (23cm x 10cm)
2 pieces offelt for book leaves, each 8in
throughout.
From the template on p.82, trace
at the base an-opening of about 2in
(5cm). Machine or backstitch round
the Needle Cat x 3in (20cm x 7cm)
Wadding (optional)
and cut out light grey cheeks (B),
yellow eyes (F), black nose (C) and
cushion, strengthening stitching You will need: A pieceof stiff white card, 8in x 3in dark crimson mouth (D). Tack-hem
each side of opening. Turn to right (20cm x 7cm) all round cheeks. For eyes, nose
side. Press well. Stuff firmly, push- Small pieces of cotton or polycotton A fabric marking pencil and mouth, leave untacked the
ing stuffing into the corners with a fabric in: A) mid grey B) light grey A craft knife parts that are hidden under the
knitting needle or pencil. When C) black D) dark crimson E) dark Masking tape cheeks. Stitch cheeks to mouth,
firm, slip-stitch open seams togeth- pink F) yellow Pinking shears taking care that cheeks just butt
er, if necessary pushing inalittle Background fabric for cover (here yel- together. Trim away excess mouth
more stuffing as you go. low), one piece 9in x 4in (23cm x N.B. When tracing shapes allow fabric. Add nose and then eyes in
Lavender may be used as an 10cm) Yin (oem) extra for turnings. Clip similar fashion. With light grey (B)
alternative stuffing. Print fabric for lining, 9in x 4in all curves. Use blind-hem stitch add lower lip.
 CATSIN STITCHES oo

Cut out head shape in (A) and

tack-hem. Carefully position Blodwen the
cheeks etc. and sew into place
using appropriate coloured Cat-er-pillow
threads. With mid grey (A) and
dark pink (E) cut out ears. Join the There are two approaches you can
two colours at centre seam, then take to this cushion. By now you
tack round whole shape. Stitch to should really be getting into patch-
head. With black pen, draw in eyes work, in which case you will want
and dots on cheeks for whiskers. to make up the coverlet that
(try drawing with the pen on a Blodwen is sitting on using patches
scrap of fabric first to check that it of fabric as indicated on the tem-
does not run). plate on p.83. Alternatively, you
Press the head. With fabric can make the whole coverlet area
marking pencil draw out a rect- using one piece of patterned fabric
angle 8in x 3in (20cm x 7cm) on cut to the whole shape. Blodwen
cover fabric. If you wish to pad the would prefer a patchwork quilt to
head, tack it to a piece of wadding sit on but don’t let her head-rub-
then trim the wadding to the exact bing influence your decision.
shape of the head. Position head on
right side of cover and stitch in Basic equipment
place.
With a craft knife, score a line at
Marking pencil
the centre of the cardboard to ease Glass-headed pins
folding. Carefully line up with Ruler
marked fabric. Fold over raw
45° set square
edges and trim to about *in (2cm). Black waterproof felt pen
Temporarily ‘anchor’ in place with Drawing paper
small pieces of masking tape. With A soft composite board that will take
double thread, stitch across from dressmaking pins
one long side to the other, pulling
Small, sharp scissors
fabric tightly over card. It is advis-
able to start at the centre and work
outwards. Finish off securely. Take Patchwork fabric
care not to distort the head. Fold
corners in on short sides and stitch Cotton or polycotton in the following
in place. Press in raw edges of lin- colours and measurements:
ing so that it is about “sin (2cm) A) black, 10in x 8in (25cm x 20cm)
smaller than cover. Hem into place. B) white, 10in x 8in (25cm x 20cm)
Cut felt ‘pages’ with pinking C) orange, 10in x 8in (25cm x 20cm)
shears. Stitch to centre of cover D) blue and white, 12in x 9in es
with thread of matching colour. (30cm x 23cm) ~
(Continued on p.41) |
40 101 CRAFTY CATS

ee
reer
 CATS IN STIMGHES 4]

Blodwen the Cat-er-pillow (contd.) Tips Cut out into the shapes indicat- legs, adding claws with felt pen.
ed for the quilt, following the Stitch all pieces into place. Press
Small pieces of: Use the same colour thread as ‘top’ arrows for the directions of the cat and background, preferably
E) dark grey fabric or nearest darker shade strips. Sew together and add the with a steam iron. DO NOT press
F) pale grey when hemming into place. A wallpaper background. It is advis- seams open. Stitch cat in position
G) pink blind-hem stitch is used through- able to allow at least lin (2'2cm) and carefully clip away excess fab-
H) pale green out. Keep marking pencil well round outside edge of quilt and ric from background. Press again.
For the coverlet, either a selection of sharpened. It is advisable to cut wallpaper for later adjustment. Pin picture to the wadding so that
scraps to make the ‘patchwork out pieces as required as this is less it lies flat with no wrinkles. This is
quilt’ effect or patterned fabric mea- confusing than cutting out all To make up cat best done by pinning two opposite
suring 12in x 8in (30cm x 20cm) pieces at once. Try to keep fabric of sides, then the other two and, final-
basic picture with the grain hori- Cut out and tack-hem the coloured ly, the four corners.
Cushion cover zontal (except when making up the patches, leaving raw the edges
coverlet — see quilt instructions). which come at the edges of the
To make up cushion
1 yard (1 metre) of 36in (91cm)-wide Clip all curves. Cut away care- body. Cut out the white main part
cotton or polycotton fully any unnecessary bulk at the of the body as a complete shape,
For 1lin (28cm) picture, cut out the
16in (40cm) zip to match back of work, particularly where a applique patches, then trim away
following from the cushion cover
18in (46cm) cushion pad darker fabric is behind a lighter surplus white. Now tack-hem
fabric:
20z (50g) wadding approximately 14in one. Use the soft board as a work- round whole body shape. This
(35%cm) square ing base. Pin drawing to board and gives a cleaner line. Apply the 2 pieces 12in x 4'in (30% x 11cm)
leave in place for constant refer- same principle to the head, back 2 pieces 19in x 4in (49 x 11cm)
The picture is handsewn; the zip ence, pinning pieces into position legs and tail. Insert dark grey for 2 pieces 19in x 10in (49cm x 25cm)
and final seaming can be machine before sewing together. the underbelly.
sewn. Finished cushion measures Trace and cut out black head Turn under '2in (lcm) on one long
18in (46cm) square. To make up quilt and trim away dotted section. Cut side of each of the larger pieces
out and tack-hem two white and insert the zip about midway.
Preparation The coverlet the cat is sitting on cheeks, two pale green eyes, a pale Stitch together the seam above and
can be plain or patterned material grey chin and a pink nose. Tack below the zip. Take the four strips,
Wash and press all fabrics. Make a or, as in the original design, made cheeks to chin, making sure that turn under and tack ‘in (lcm) hem
swatch strip with code letters up of fabric scraps to represent a they just butt together above the on one side of each piece. Take a
marked for quick and easy refer- patchwork quilt. About ten differ- chin. Trim away excess chin fabric, long strip, pin to short edge of
ence. ent patterns have been used. attach nose and eyes in similar smaller piece forming a right angle
On the paper, draw an 1lin Cut several strips 8in long by fashion. Now hem stitch together. (check with set square). Tack in
(28cm) square and mark in lines lin wide (20cm x 2'2cm), marking a Sew ginger patch to top of head, place. Repeat at other end of long
lin (2’2cm) apart each way to form “sin (‘2em) seam line on both long tack-hem round whole head, sew strip, measuring to make sure that
a grid. Transfer the design on p.83 sides on right side of fabric. Fold cheeks etc. in place. Cut out ears in the inner sides of the two short
square by square, each square rep- over one side and press. Pin to the pink and black fabric and join cen- strips are exactly 1lin (28cm) apart.
resenting lin (2'2cm). When next strip, lining up with tre seams, then tack-hem round Add the fourth strip. You should
complete, draw in the outline in unpressed seam line. Blind-hem complete ear. Stitch to head. With have a completed surround with
black felt pen. Fill in fabric colour together. Repeat in the desired waterproof felt pen, carefully draw 1lin (28cm) square opening. Hem
code for guidance. Add arrows on sequence to make a complete piece in pupil of eye and, if desired, a together.
quilt. approximately 12in x 8in (30cm x few spots on cheeks for whiskers.
20cm). Now make up tail and back (Continued overleaf)
42 101 CRAFTY CATS

Knitting
2

Blodwen the Cat-er-pillow (contd.) Paws to Knit

from four lengths of wool and knot cm) from the bottom edge of the
Place over picture, centre up with If you can knit one purl one you
the ends. Thread this cord lin (2% mitten. Repeat for second mitten.
surround, tack carefully into will be able to manage these sim-
place, then hem, catching the ple, fun mittens knitted in double-
wadding as you sew. If necessary, knitting wool.
trim wadding at back to about '2in
(1cm) from stitching. With wrong You will need:
sides together, machine back of
cushion to front with zip opening 75g (30z) double-knitting wool in a
at the top. Turn and press seams. colour of your choice
Do not press wadding. Insert cush- A scrap of black wool for embroidery
ion pad. A pair of 4.5mm _needles
A blunt sewing needle

Work to a tension of 16 stitches

and 20 rows to 4in (10cm) square.
Cast on 20 sts, work in stocking
stitch (one row knit, next row purl)
for 16in (41cm). Cast off. Fold in
half and stitch up one side. On the
other side, sew 3in (7cm), leave 3in
(7cm) for the thumb opening, and
sew to top.
To knit the thumb, cast on 11
sts,* work in stocking stitch for 4
rows, decrease 1 st each side,
repeat from * once more then **
work 4 rows, increase 1 st each
side, repeat from **. Work 4 rows.
Cast off. Sew both side seams and
stitch to the side opening of the
mitten — one left, one right.
Embroider on eyes, nose, mouth
and whiskers in black chain stitch,
leaving loose ends for whiskers.
Make a 20in (51cm) twisted cord
 I was brought up to believe that saws, electric drills and the like
were strictly for the boys, which is why most of my work centres
iy Basic Equipment around fabrics, yarns and soft substances that can be modelled by
hand. It was not until I inherited a somewhat ancient electric jig-
_ Offcuts of plywood, hardboard or A clamp saw that I realized a) how simple it was to use and b) that I could
MDF (medium density fibre Wood glue make all sorts of interesting things that I had previously consid-
board) or heavyweight Sandpaper ered beyond me.
cardboard Water-based paints
The following projects can be made using either an electric jig-
_An electric jigsaw or fretsaw or a Paintbrushes
saw or a manual or electric fretsaw. Alternatively, they can be cut
hand-held fretsaw
out of heavy cardboard with a craft knife or scissors.
44 101 CRAETY CATS

Coat Cat-cher

I bought this basic wooden hook To make the cat, mark off every
board from a market for next to lin (2cm) around all four edges of
nothing and decided it needed a the MDF board with black marker
cat. You can make the board from pen, then join up these points to
an odd piece of wood and cut the form a grid 12 squares tall by 9
cat either from MDF, as I have, or squares wide. Turn to the template
from plywood, hardboard or card. on p.76 and copy the cat shape
onto your grid, square by square,
In addition to the basic equipment being sure to draw the ‘Coat-Cat-
you will need: cher’ tail. Clamp the wood to a
table and saw carefully around the
For the hook board outline. Paint over the cutout with
white emulsion and leave to dry.
A piece of wood approximately 9'in x Draw on the facial features with a
2hin (24cm x 7cm) and ‘in (1cm) fine felt-tipped pen and also draw
thick in markings of your choice. Paint
2 lin (24cm) brass screws in the markings in the appropriate
5 brass hooks colours and leave to dry. Add a
A hand or electric drill second coat, dry and then add a
coat of varnish.
For the cat Position the cat on the hook
board, drawing in the position
A piece of MDF board, 12in with a pencil. Spread wood glue
x 9in (30cm x 22cm) liberally on the back of the cat’s
A black marker pen paws and press down onto board
White emulsion (support the weight of the top of
A fine black felt-tipped pen the cat with a book or other object
Water-based paints in black, white, the same height as the board).
pink and yellow Leave to dry thoroughly.
Polyurethane varnish
A pencil

To make the board, cut the wood

to size and sand the edges. Drill
two holes for screws approximate-
ly lin (2'2cm) in from each end,
centring them carefully. Screw in
hooks at equal intervals in
between.
 WOODEN CATS

Cat-rina’s Treasure
Box

Any self-respecting cat needs

somewhere to put her spare collar,
her toy mouse and her flea comb.
This box is made from simple
cutouts of plywood glued together.
The scrolls are made with FIMO
and the cat itself can be modelled
from either FIMO or papier maché.

In addition to the basic equipment

you will need:

2 pieces of 5mm plywood

measuring 4'%4in (104cm) square
4 pieces of 5mm plywood
measuring 3%in (9cm) square
1 piece of 5mm plywood
measuring 3in (9cm) square
A block of white FIMO
Gold enamel paint

To make the box, first cut the ply-

wood (or you can use cardboard)
to size. Take the four pieces mea-
suring 3%in (9'2cm) square and
glue them together, inside edge to
outside edge, to form a perfect
cube (see diagram, p.81). When the
cube is dry, place it dead centre on
one of the two pieces of plywood
measuring 4'4in (10'2cm) square
and glue it down so that this forms
a base. Take the two remaining To make the scrolls, roll out FIMO or papier maché (see these and top and paint all pieces with
pieces of plywood, centre the sausages of FIMO and curl them chapters, pp.8—24), making the cat two coats of gold paint. Paint the
smaller square on the bigger one into scroll shapes. Bake them in the 2'2in (6cm) in length. When the cat and then glue him to the top of
and glue them together to form the oven following manufacturer’s FIMO scrolls are cooked hard, glue the box to form a handle.
lid. instructions. Model the cat from them into position on the box sides
46 10VCRAFIXNICATS
will want to paint on your
favourite colourings and expres-
sions. Please also note that Bob’s
designs are his copyright and may
not be made for re-sale.

In addition to the basic equipment

you will need:

Plywood, hardboard or cardboard

Magnets*
White emulsion
Water-based paints in colours of your
choice
A pencil
A fine drawing pen

*Magnetic self-adhesive tape can

be bought by the yard and you just
snip off as much as you need.
Alternatively, you can buy craft
magnets in various sizes. See
Stockist Information, p.89.

To make these cats, trace off the

templates on p.76 onto the ply-
wood. Clamp the wood to a table
and carefully cut around the
shapes with an electric jigsaw or a
fretsaw. Smooth the edges with
sandpaper and coat the shape with
white emulsion. When dry, draw
on the basic markings with a pencil
and then go over the facial features
with a fine drawing pen. Paint in
Frosty Cats the markings colour by colour,
leaving one to dry before applying
I found these wonderful fridge been reproduced here with his hundreds of different cat magnets, a second. Glue the magnet onto the
magnets on sale at Camden Lock kind permission. [f, however, you all extremely reasonably priced back.
Market in London, where they are are in London during a weekend, (see Stockist Information, p.89).
designed and produced by Bob do go and see his whole range This book provides templates for N.B. You can also make cat mag-
Mitchell. A small selection has which includes mirrors as well as the shapes alone, as I expect you nets from FIMO or papier maché.
 WOODEN CATS +/
rd

Board Cat

Hang this cat in the kitchen and

chalk on items such as sardines,
pilchards, catnip, pickled mice, flea
powder etc., as you run out of
them.

In addition to the basic equipment

you will need:

1 piece of plywood or hardboard mea-

suring 14in x 111n (35cm x 27'cm)
A small tin of blackboard paint
A piece of orange felt, 6in (15cm)
square
A scrap of polyester wadding (cotton
wool would do)
Ablack felt-tipped pen
A scrap of Velcro or self-sealing tape
Chalk
White and yellow water-based paints
String
A self-adhesive picture hook
Copydex glue
Scissors

To make this cat, first take the ply-

wood and mark off every lin (2'
cm) along all four sides with a
black marker pen. Join up these
points to form a grid 14 squares leaving each one to dry before the front and back pieces of the fish paint over these using yellow for
wide by 11 squares tall. Turn to the adding the next. together around the edges, sand- the eyes and white for the othe
template on p.84 and copy the cat While the paint is drying, trace wiching the wadding in between. details. Wrap a length of string
shape square by square onto your off the fish shape onto the orange Stick a small piece of Velcro or self- repeatedly around the chalk and
grid. Clamp the wood toa table felt, fold the felt in half and cut sealing tape onto the back of the tie it securely, then glue the ot!
and carefully saw out the shape through both thicknesses. Cut a fish, gluing the other half onto the end to the back of the cat
using an electric jigsaw or a fret- circle of polyester wadding slightly board. Stick a self-adhesive
saw. Smooth the edges with sand- smaller than the body of the fish. With chalk, roughly draw in the onto the top centre b
paper. Paint the whole shape with Draw an eye onto one fish shape eyes, nose, mouth, cheek and tail board.
three coats of blackboard paint, with a black felt-tipped pen. Glue outline onto the board. Carefully
48 101 CRAFTY CATS

Catmobile
This is a fun project for a child to position.
make and I can prove it because Add fine details, either in black
this one was made by my child, pen or in white paint or correction
Justine, aged 22'» (years, that is). fluid, depending on the colour of
The cats are made from cardboard, the felt background. Cut 1'2in
with felt glued on. If you don’t (4cm) lengths of ribbon or tape and
have any felt, use fancy wrapping glue these onto the centre top of
paper or photograph your cat in each figure.
various positions and make a Take the two sticks and join
mobile from photographic cutouts. them together at the centre with
the panel pin. Screw in eyes at each
In addition to the basic equipment end of both sticks and top and bot-
you will need: tom of the centre point where they
cross. Tie lengths of cotton to the
12in (30cm) squares offelt in orange, screw-in eyes and attach figures by
white and black tying the loose ends of cotton to
1 yard (1 metre) of %in (1cm) black the ribbon loops. Finally, tie a piece
ribbon or tape of cotton to the centre top, screw in
2 sticks, each approximately 12in eye and attach mobile to the ceil-
(30cm) long ing.
A %4in (2cm) panel pin
6 small screw-in eyes for hanging
Black cotton
A sheet of A4 medium-weight card-
board
Scissors
Copydex glue
A black marker pen
White paint or liquid typewriter cor-
rection fluid

To make the Catmobile, first trace

off the templates on p.86 onto card-
board and cut out the shapes. Then
trace them onto the coloured felt,
making two images (one in
reverse) for each shape. Glue these
onto the front and back of the
cutouts. Cut feature details out of
contrasting felt and glue these into
 WOODEN CATS 49
I T ] Hi —— — — —_ —> —

| |

| a

| *
| | ae )
Painted Cats

Basic Equipment
Painting on metal, enamel Painting on silk
and wood
Paints (see specific project instruc- Silk paints (I recommend Marabu
tions) and Deka products)
Artist's and household brushes Artist's paintbrushes
Polyurethane gloss varnish Gutta pens in various colours
Nail or scrubbing brushes An iron and ironing board
Liquid detergent A piece of muslin or cloth
Paink ands ae i ahi) |
Your cat’s portrait can and should be painted anywhere and
everywhere. Your only ; limitation is the type of paints you use, as Loe goons Bia eae tae Painting on glass
andpaper(medium and fine)
you should bear in mind the material you are working on and Wirenueel Claectant
whether your masterpiece is going to be hung, worn, drunk from Plastic filler A tube of liquid lead (see Stockist
or displayed indoors or outdoors. Wood sealer Information, p.89)
There is a vast number of specialist paints available for work- Cotton rags and white spirit An eye dropper
ing on everything from fabric to glass (see Stockist Information,
».89). Don’t feel limited by the items I have chosen to paint — use
the ideas and adapt them to decorate anything you feel like.
 PAINTED CATS

Painting on metal,
enamel and wood
The technique for these projects background coat directly onto your
has been taken from the traditional metal item. If, however, your item
art of barge or narrow boat paint- is made of wood, you should treat
ing. The items were designed and it with two coats of wood sealer
painted by Penny Newman who before painting on it. There is also
has, by special request, incorporat- no need to strip the old paint from
ed felines into her normally tradi- wooden items provided it can be
tional designs. She has painted on sanded down to a smooth finish.
various old items that can be Always remember to clean your
picked up at junk and car boot paintbrushes after use with an old
sales but you must be sure to fol- rag dipped in white spirit.
low the instructions for prepara-
tion in order to get the best results.
Bis-cat Tin
Preparation of old You will need:

metal, enamel and- A suitable tin with a lid

wooden items Humbrol Colour paints in crimson,
yellow and midnight blue
First place the article in hot water in (1cm) household paintbrush
and scrub it thoroughly with wash- Medium and fine artist's brushes
ing-up liquid and a hard brush. Masking tape
Rinse and dry. If the article has old A wax crayon
paint on it strip this off with paint
stripper, taking care to wear rub- Prepare the tin according to the
ber gloves and a mask. If that instructions above. To paint it, first
won't remove it use sandpaper. If wrap a piece of masking tape
the article is rusty, remove rust around the bottom and top of the
with a steel wool or rust proofer base and, with a household paint-
following manufacturer’s instruc- brush, paint the area in between in
tions. If the item has any holes in it two coats of red. (Always leave the
these can be filled with plastic filler first coat to dry before applying the
and then sanded down to a smooth second.)
finish. While that is drying, divide the
If you are working with a good- lid into nine segments by ruling
quality enamel hobby paint such as across the middle with your wax
Humbrol Colour, you can paint the (Continued overleaf)
52 101 CRAPLIY CALS
Bis-cat Tin (contd.)
crayon. Carefully paint two coats
of red paint on every third seg-
ment using a medium artist's
brush. When the base is dry, peel
off the masking tape and fill in the
blank areas with blue. Paint in
three blue segments on the lid.
Leave to dry, then with your wax
crayon mark positions for evenly-
spaced yellow dots along the blue
base and evenly-spaced cats
around the tin itself. Paint in the
cats in yellow with afine artist's
brush using the template on p.82 as
a guide. Paint in the yellow trian-
gles on the lid. Add the umbrellas.
Leave to dry and add two coats of
varnish.

Cats in the
Moonlight
This design is painted on an old
enamel dish prepared according to
the instructions on p.51. The out-
line for the cat is on p.82. Use
Humbrol Colour paints.
To paint this dish, start with the
blue background and when com-
pletely dry add the border in red.
Paint in the brown tree trunk using
a medium artist's brush, and use a
fine brush to create the branches
and twigs. Add the green leaves
with a medium brush and then
add the pears. When completely
dry, paint in the white cats and the
moon, then add two coats of var-
nish.
 PAINTED CATS

iE
This is my cat Sparky, who can First paint the inside of the bowl
usually eat a horse. It’s a nice, sim- with three coats of yellow paint,
ple painting job and the template taking care to let each coat dry
appears on p.88. before applying the next. Then
turn to the template on p.88 and,
As well as the basic equipment, working by eye with a chinagraph
you will need: pencil, draw in the outline for the
cat and dividing lines for the
An enamel bowl markings. Fill in the appropriate
Enamel paints in yellow and black (1 areas with black paint using a
have used Deka-Lac water-based medium-sized artist’s brush, leave
enamels) to dry and add an extra coat of
A chinagraph pencil black. Leave to dry and then paint
on two coats of varnish.

Cuppy-Cat
Penny has painted her design on instructions for the biscuit tin on
an ordinary white china cup and p.51, using the template on p.82 for
saucer using Humbrol paints. the cats. This design uses the
However, if you want to use a cup smaller version, with three cats
I suggest you buy special ceramic placed at equal distances around
paints that can be fixed to the china the cup.
in the oven. Follow the basic
54. TOUCRAEEY CATS
 FAINTED CATS i)

Painting on
Cat Tra-il silk
Jolly up an old wooden tray with Silk painting is great fun and the metre in various thicknesses and every lin (2'2cm) along all four
these prancing Chinchillas (oppo- range of equipment on the market you can also buy made-up items sides of the square and join up
site). First prime the tray with makes it very simple to learn the like the tie, ready to paint on (see these points to form a grid of lin
wood sealer and then paint it on technique. The best paints in my Stockist Information, p-89). (22cm) squares. Turn to p.83 and
both sides with two coats of blue. opinion sell under the trade names copy the design onto your grid,
When dry, paint in the rim in red.
Paint the tree trunks in brown,
Marabu and Deka (see Stockist
Information, p.89). I have used a Hand-cat-chief square by square. Place the paper
under the frame and you should be
leaving equal distances between mixture of both for these projects. This design (see overleaf) is taken able to see the outline through the
and at each side of them. The tree- Both of these ranges are water sol- from the template used for silk. If you can’t, attach it to the
_tops are painted with random uble so you can lighten a colour by ‘Blodwen the Cat-er-pillow’ on back of the silk with masking tape.
swirly lines of green and then the adding water and mix colours as p-83. To make this bit of finery you Practise using the gutta pen on
apples are added in red and the you please. will need: paper first to achieve the correct
leaves (one dab of a medium-sized They can be fixed by ironing the pressure to draw clear lines with-
artist’s brush) in a lighter green. silk at a cotton temperature after A piece of white silk, 18%2in (47cm) out blobs. When you can do this,
Draw in the cats from the larger you have finished your design. The square draw in all outlines except the
template on p.82 and paint in colours will not fix until they are A clear and a bronze gutta pen facial features in clear gutta using
white. Paint in some simple flow- ironed, so if you make a mistake Silk paints in aqua, fuchsia, royal, the tracing as a guide. Leave the
ers along the bottom of the design. with your painting you can just yellow, black and orange gutta to dry for about half an hour
Add the cats’ facial features and wash it out. Always wash and iron Fuchsia sewing cotton and then draw in the facial features
paws with a very fine artist’s silk before beginning your painting A frame measuring 18in (45cm) using a bronze gutta pen.
brush. Varnish. to remove any sizing. square (see Fabricated Cats, p.27) Starting with the background so
The basic technique used for Masking tape you get a feel of how much paint
most of the following designs Drawing pins you need, fill in the areas between
involves drawing in an outline A sheet of A3 paper the gutta outlines in the appropri-
with ‘gutta’. You can buy gutta A thick black felt-tipped pen ate colours, using the photograph
outliner pens in several colours as Water as a guide. The green is achieved
well as transparent and their job is Afine sewing needle by mixing blue and yellow, and I
to stop the colours running into have watered this mixture down
each other. Another technique that First wash and iron the silk square. and added a drop of orange to
can produce interesting results is Then take your frame and cover make the beige. Finally add the
the watercolour technique. You the top edge with masking tape. border in fuchsia and leave the
paint the colours directly onto the Pin the silk square onto the frame, painting to dry for at least an hour.
silk and let them run into each placing drawing pins approximate- Place it on an ironing board,
other. You can add detail in black ly every lin (2'2cm), stretching it right side down, and iron over a
when they are dry or draw it in until it is taut. Take the sheet of A3 piece of muslin or cloth at cotton
before beginning with a coloured paper and draw with thick black temperature. Carefully roll and
gutta pen. felt-tipped pen a square 1lin x stitch the edges to finish off the
You can buy silk by the yard or 1lin (27'2cm x 27%2cm). Mark off square.
56 10UERARTY CATS

Hand-cat-chief ie “6 fhe OREN Ps inf

ste

Sey
 PAINTED CATS D7.

Greeting Cats
Use up oddments of silk to make
these greeting cards. All except the
Calico long-haired cat are pro-
duced using the same technique as
the ‘Hand-cat-chief’.
Trace off your designs from
printed greeting cards of cats or
from photographs, magazines or
book illustrations, then add your
own colourings and surroundings.
The Calico cat was produced
using the watercolour technique.
First the facial features were drawn
in with bronze gutta, then a border
was painted across the top in blue.
Pussy’s coat is a mixture of black,
white and a brown which I made
by mixing green, red and white.
The eyes are painted in in yellow.
You can buy the mounts ready-
made or cut them yourself from
card (see Stockist Information,
p-89)
58 1OU;CRAFTY GATS

Tie and Tails

Only a real man would wear this
tie, so be careful who you make it
for.

You will need:

A white silk tie (see Stockist

Information, p.89)
Bronze and transparent gutta
Silk paints in pink, yellow, aqua,
black, orange and mauve
A hard pencil

To make this tie, first draw onto it

your cats using a well-sharpened
hard pencil that will give you a
very fine line. Draw in head and
paws at one side of the tie and rear
legs and tails just above at the
other side. Draw three cats in all,
finishing at the point where you
would make the tie knot. At the
other end of the tie, draw in four
paw pads. Cover the outlines with
bronze gutta and leave to dry for
about an hour. Fill in the cats with
orange or black, leaving intended
white areas plain. Fill in paw pads
in black.
When they are dry, divide the
tie into sections by drawing on
diagonal lines in between each cat
using transparent gutta. Leave the
gutta for half an hour and paint in
the different areas of background
colour, watering the paints down
so that you get a pastel effect.
Leave to dry, then fix by ironing on
the wrong side over a piece of
muslin or cloth at cotton tempera-
ture.
 PAINTED CATS og.

Painting on Green Punk Sark eod Fe

class Cat God

There is really no excuse for hav- To make this cat you will need:
ing any area in your home that
does not feature a cat. Once you A glass circle with chain, 4in (10cm)
have painted your crockery, your in diameter (see Stockist Informa-
walls and your furniture you can tion, p.89)
start on your windows, using a
A tubeof liquid lead (see Stockist
special glass paint. These little dan- Information, p.89)
gling circles are good practice for Bottles of glass stain in green, yellow
you and can be bought with the and blue
surround and chain already An eye dropper
attached (see Stockist Information, The liquid lead is used to draw the
p.89). They are available in several black dividing lines that will make
sizes. Alternatively you can get your painted glass look like real
glass circles cut at your local stained glass. It comes in a squeezy
glazier and buy the leaded edging tube and the width of your line
on a roll to attach yourself. depends on the size of the hole you
make in the top of the tube. Before
applying the lead to your glass,
bear in mind the following hints:
1. For uniform lines apply con-
stant pressure on the tube.
2. Before beginning each new line,
wipe the tip of the tube.
3. Hold the tube at a 45° angle to
the glass.
4. Touch the tip to the glass and
start squeezing.
5. Lift the bottle about 1'2in (4cm)
above the work surface and follow
the lines of your pattern.
6. As you complete each line,
touch the tip down to the glass,
stop squeezing and pull the bottle
away.
(Continued overleaf)
60 1017, CRAET GATS

Cat at the Window

Green Punk Cat God (contd.)

You will need:

7. If you make a mistake, wipe off
instantly with a wet cloth or wait
A glass circle with chain, 4in (10cm)
until the line is dry and scrape off
in diameter
with a craft knife.
A tubeof liquid lead
To make the Punk Cat God, trace
Glass stain in green, blue, yellow and
off the template on p.85 and place red
it in position under the glass circle. An eye dropper
Using the application methods Afine paintbrush
above, draw in the outlines with
liquid lead and leave to set for half To make this cat, follow the
an hour. Fill an eye dropper with instructions for the ‘Green Punk
green stain and apply it a drop at a Cat God’ but use the template for
time between the outlines, letting it the ‘Cat at the Window’ on p.85.
spread out until you achieve the After you have applied the liquid
required depth of colour. Leave to lead, flood-fill the cat’s body, legs
dry and then fill in the cat’s earring and head with yellow stain using
with yellow stain. Fill in the outer an eye dropper. Flood-fill the win-
circle in the same way using blue dow panes in blue using the eye
stain. dropper. Leave to dry and then
carefully paint in the check green
curtains and the cat’s markings in
red using a fine brush.
 rint and
Paper
Fe :| Basic Equipment
B Decoupage Printing
Fy:Odd boxes and tins Items you wish to print with, eg.
tiOld magazines, newspapers etc. (for potatoes, erasers, linoleum
Ee
=f: cutouts) Poster or acrylic paints
1H:Plain coloured paper Water-based lino inks (see Stockist
_ Sharp-pointed scissors Information, p.89)
We Copydex glue Tracing paper and pencils
ed stick of paper glue A craft knife
fe
_Polyurethane varnish
A lin (24cm) household paint- There are all sorts of lovely things you can do with paper that will
e- brush
f e \. amuse your cats and keep the children busy at the same time.
Decoupage is a great way to use all those pretty cat pictures you
find in magazines, and, with simple printing techniques, you can
make your own stationery and wrapping paper from plain boring
old stuff. In this section I have also included a party mask which is
made from cardboard covered in felt. I have done this because a)
you could easily use a fancy paper instead of felt and b) I couldn't
find another suitable cat-egory to include it in.
62 100CRAFTY GATS

Street Cats

This is a box to keep your useful the same at the centre front of the
thingummyjigs in. box and secure with narrow rib-
bon.
In addition to the basic equipment If you prefer, use cutouts of
you will need: flowers instead of houses, to create
a garden scene.
A wooden cigar box
2 squares offabric with which to line it
1 yard (1 metre) of braid
Paper cutouts of cats
Cutouts of houses
2 paper fasteners (the type with two
prongs that bend back)
12in (30cm) of narrow ribbon

To make this box, first cut out your

fabric to fit the inside of the box lid
and the inside base of the box.
Stick it into position with Copydex,
smoothing out any creases or bub-
bles. Glue braid around the edges
to create a neat finish.
Next, cut out a collection of
houses and rooftops and arrange
them on the lid of the box. Glue
them down with a paper glue stick.

Decoupage Cut out the cats, arrange them

above and between the houses and
glue into position. Cover the edges
‘Decoupage’, or the art of cutting with beautiful cutouts that you of the box with a paper that match-
and sticking, was popular during glue to an item requiring decora- es the colourway and then stick a
the late seventeenth and eighteenth tion, then hand colour and coat row of cats on the top.
century and was designed to imi- with numerous layers of varnish. Paint at least three coats of var-
tate the freehand painting incorpo- The overall effect of the project will nish over your composition, leav-
rated in highly-prized ‘lacquer- depend entirely on your selection ing each coat to dry before adding
ware’ which was imported into and arrangement of cutouts, but the next. Make a hole through the
Europe from the Far East. here are a couple of simple ideas to centre front of the lid and push
Many specialist papers were start you off. through a paper fastener, folding
produced for this simple scissor art back the prongs underneath. Do
PRINT AND PAPER 63
10UCRAELY.CATS

Giialia
Follow the instructions for the
‘Street Cats’ box on p.62, but line
the tin with wrapping paper and
finish by gluing braid around the
top edge.

Cat Box
The repeat motifs on this box have
been produced by gluing all the
cats onto one sheet and getting a
colour copy from the local photo-
copy shop. This can be quite
expensive and you might prefer to
get a black and white photocopy
and colour the cats in yourself with
with felt-tipped pens.
 PRINT AND PAPER 65

Pencil Drum
You can make lovely black and
white arrangements using photo-
copies, which are especially appro-
priate if you happen to have a
black and white cat. This pencil
drum is made from an old cocoa
tin covered in plain coloured
paper. For the basic decoupage
technique, see instructions for
‘Street Cats’ on p.62.
66 100 CRAPIYCATS

Printing Cat Wrap

You can print using potatoes, pen- This simple design is made by
cil erasers or lino if you are feeling potato printing. Wrap up your cat
really clever. You can also cut sten- in his own printed paper and post
cils from card to decorate no end of him off to your grandma for
things. You can use printing inks Christmas.
or acrylic paints to achieve interest-
ing effects. Print onto plain paper In addition to the basic equipment
or wrapping paper or cut up the you will need:
back of old greeting cards to make
gift tags. A sheet ofplain paper or brown wrap-
ping paper
A large potato
A piece of card
A felt-tipped pen
A knitting needle

To make the wrapping paper, turn

to the templates for either the
mobile on p.86 or the fridge mag-
nets on p.76 and trace off your
favourite shape onto cardboard.
Cut it out, cut the potato in half
and place the card template on it.
Trace around the outside with a
felt-tipped pen then cut away all
the potato that is not inside your
outline. Make two holes for eyes
with a knitting needle, cover the
finished cat in paint or ink and
stamp it onto the paper.
 PRINT AND PAPER 67

A Letter
from your Cat
Send an important missive from
pussy on his own notepaper. You
can also use your stamp as a seal
on the envelope and once you have
cut the design it is there for you to
use again and again.

In addition to the basic equipment

you will need:

Plain notepaper
A pencil eraser
Acrylic paint or an ink-pad

The design for the notepaper has

been cut from a pencil eraser. Trace
off the template on p.88 onto the
eraser. With a craft knife, cut away
all the areas you do not wish to
print. Press onto an ink-pad or
paint with acrylic paint and print.
68 107 GRAPT CATS

Lino Cat
Lino cutting is great fun but there required: V tools for narrow lines
are a couple of basic precautions and U tools for cutting large areas,
you should take to prevent you clearing backgrounds etc.
gouging out sections of your hand Remember that the areas you cut
instead of the lino. If you have a away will be white and those you
clamp, clamp the lino to a table to leave will print. To check how your
stop it slipping, or alternatively block is progressing, place a piece
work up against a wall. Once you of thin scrap paper over the block
have made your lino cut it is a and make a rubbing with a pencil.
good idea to mount it (nail it) onto When your cutting is complete,
a block of wood to keep it flat. The take the printing ink and squeeze a
prints on coloured paper are from small amount (like toothpaste)
a simple cut printed with acrylic onto the glass. Roll it with the
paints (you will find the template roller until you have an even patch
on p.88). The black and white and the roller is covered (there
prints are produced with oil-based should be a sound like Velcro rip-
ink and you can trace the design ping as you roll back and forth —
directly from the prints as they not a squishy mess that will fill up
appear here. the lines in the block).
Now ink up the block evenly by
In addition to the basic equipment rolling the roller back and forth
you will need: and from side to side. Get a clean
piece of paper (it’s best to have a
A pieceof lino 6in x 4in (15cm x pile cut to size, ready on the print-
10cm) ing table), place over the block and
Lino cutting tools hold firmly into position while
A roller rubbing gently but firmly with the
A sheet of glass, ceramic tile or piece of flat of a spoon handle in circular
Formica motions all over the print. When
Oil-based printing ink you are satisfied that you have
An old dessert spoon covered the whole area, carefully
White spirit peel back the paper and leave
Old rags somewhere to dry (away from the
Pieces of paper or card to be decorated cat unless you want paw marks as
well).
Trace off the template on p.88 or When you have finished, clean
the black and white prints opposite the block, roller and glass with
onto the lino. Use the knife tool white spirit.
for outlining any smooth lines
PRINIJAND PAP EK 69
 101 GRAETEY CATS
=
/ 0

Cat Mask
You too can go to the ball and you
can hide behind this exquisitely
feathered and bejewelled Cat
Mask. If you don’t want to go,
send your favourite Persian who is
certain to enjoy the occasion and
already has a suitable fur coat to
wear.

To make this Cat Mask you will

need:

2 A4 pieces of card
A pieceof felt or wrapping paper
12in x 8in (30cm x 20cm)
4 gold pipe cleaners
2black feathers
A 12in (30cm) stick
2 yards (2 metres) of gold sequins
1 yard (1 metre) each of mauve and
silver sequins
3 green sequins
A craft knife
Copydex glue

To make the mask, first trace off

the template on p.87 onto the two
sheets of card and cut out, once
with the nose shape (for the front
of the mask) and once following
the dotted line (for the back). Cut waste and fold and glue to the and glue them at the fold onto the around the empty bottom area sev-
out the eyes from both pieces, then back. Lay the stick onto the back- back of the nose, two each side to eral times before spiralling it up
lay aside the back piece to use ing piece of the mask about lin (2% form eight whiskers. the stick. Glue a border of gold
later. Cut out the shape (with a cm) away from the left eye hole Beginning about 1'2in (4cm) sequins around the mask itself and
nose) from the felt or wrapping with the end level with the top of from the bottom of the stick, wrap dot sequins onto the mask front.
paper, adding ‘2in (1cm) all round. the mask. Glue this down. Glue the gold string of sequins around Add a green sequin at each corner
Glue this to the front of the mask, feathers to the top corners, then the stick, gluing as you go. Do the and one in the centre top.
gluing the waste edges to the back. glue the front of the mask on top. same with the silver string and
At the eye holes, clip around the Fold the four pipe cleaners in half then add the mauve, winding it
 Edible Cats

I planned in this section to give you recipes for kittens in custard,

cat and mouse pie and pommes des chats. Unfortunately the ingredi-
ents are quite hard to come by, requiring an element of violence in
their acquisition. For this reason I am just going to pass on a cou-
ple of old family favourites which I hope you will enjoy making
and eating.
fz 101 CRAPIY CATS

Ginger Cat
Biscutts
You can buy biscuit cutters to ingredients and mix well until you
make almost any shape from stars have a stiff doughy mixture.
to dinosaurs, but for some reason I Roll out onto a floured board
found it impossible to buy a cat until the dough is about "sin (3mm)
shape. Through trial and error, thick. Place the cardboard template
however, I discovered that you can lightly on the rolled-out dough and
make a cardboard template of any cut around the shape with a point-
of the smaller cats featured in the ed knife. Place cut-out cats onto a
template section of this book (see greased baking tray. Bake at gas
pp.76-88) and simply place it on mark 5 (375°F/190°C) for 15-20
your biscuit dough and cut around minutes. Place on a cooling rack
it with a paring knife to make the until cold. Decorate with icing.
shape. Judy Newman made the
biscuits in these recipes and the N.B. If you are no dab paw at icing,
cats and | ate the results. insert currants for the eyes, a piece
of cherry for the mouth and angel-
To make these biscuits you will ica for whiskers before baking.
need: Store in an airtight tin.

80z (200g) plain flour

1 level tsp bicarbonate of soda
34 level tsp ground ginger (depend-
ing on yourtaste for it)
2-3 level tsp cinnamon
4 level tsp caster sugar
40z (100g) butter
60z (150g) golden syrup
Icing or dried fruit to decorate

First trace off the image of your

choice onto a sheet of clean white
card. Cut out the shape with a craft
knife to form a cardboard tem-
plate. Sift together flour, bicarbon-
ate of soda, ginger, cinnamon and
sugar into a bowl. Melt butter and
stir in syrup. Stir these into the dry
 EDIBLE,CATS Wo

Marzicats

These delicious fat, sugary, every- Sift icing sugar into a bowl and nose. Roll a sausage shape and they start to brown. Remove from
mix with caster sugar and attach for the tail, moulding it oven and leave on baking tray
thing-that’s-bad-for-you cats melt
in the mouth and are well worth almonds. Add the essence with around the body from centre back until cold. Store in an airtight con-
dieting for a week for. I dare you. enough egg and lemon juice to mix to centre front. Roll two more tainer.
to a stiff dough. Form into a ball small balls for the feet. To make the
You will need: and knead lightly. eyes, push in small pieces of glacé
To shape the cats, make one ball cherry. Cut a piece of angelica into
80z (225g) icing sugar (or sausage, if you want the cat narrow strips and use them for the
80z (225g) caster sugar lying down) for the body and a whiskers. Insert the knife under
1lb (450g) ground almonds smaller one for the head, pinching the cheeks and pull down slightly
1 tsp vanilla essence out the ear shapes. To make the to form an open mouth.
2 eggs, lightly beaten face roll three pea-sized (petit pois) Place the modelled cats onto a
2 tsp lemon juice balls and squash two of them flat greased baking tray and bake in a
Glacé cherries and angelica for onto the face to form the cheeks. very low oven (‘2 gas mark or
decoration Place the third above centre for the 250°F /120°C, for 4-5 hours or until
{4 LOMGRAFTY CATS

Cat Cake
This is a recipe for non-cooks since
I discovered that you can buy
~ ready-to-roll fondant icing in a
variety of colours and you can also
buy ready-to-ice cakes from your
local supermarket. I have included
a recipe for fondant icing just in
case you want to start from scratch.
The cake you choose to cover is
very much a matter of personal
taste so I suggest you just use your
favourite traditional fruit cake
recipe.

You will need:

40z (125g) black fondant icing

440z (125g) white fondant icing
70z (200) red fondant icing
A round fruit cake, approximately 6in
(15cm) in diameter
Apricot jam

To make fondant icing you will

need:

IIb (450g) icing sugar

1 egg white
20z (55g) liquid glucose (obtainable at
chemists)
Vegetable colourings in black and red

Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and

make a well in the centre. Add the
egg white and the liquid glucose
and beat these ingredients with a
wooden spoon, scraping in all the
icing sugar from the edges of the
bowl. Divide into three portions
 EDIBILEYGATS Le

and add appropriate vegetable

colouring. Knead the mixture with
your hands, adding a little icing
sugar to prevent it sticking, and
then wrap it in a polythene bag
and store it in a cool place until
you need it. Knead it again before
use.
To ice the cake, photocopy and
if necessary enlarge the template
on p.88 and mark each section with
a letter to represent a colour: ‘A’
for white, ‘B’ for black and ‘C’ for
background, in this case red. Cut
these paper colour sections out like
a jigsaw. Rebuild the picture from
these cutouts and lay it in front of
you.
Coat the top of your cake with a
thin layer of apricot jam to help the
icing stick. Roll out the red icing
and lay the templates marked ‘C’
on top of it. Cut out the shapes
with a sharp knife and place them
in position on top of the cake.
Repeat this process for the black
and white sections, rolling small
pieces of black icing for the mouth.
When you have completed the top
of the cake, cut a strip of red icing
and wrap this around the side
(back) of the cake to correspond
with the red background. Cut a
strip of white icing and place this
around the side (front). Smooth
joins with your fingers and then
eat great scrumptious chunks of
your masterpiece.
76 10UCRAETY CATS

PLAIT-A-CAT MAT (p.29) — use dotted line for tail

COAT CAT-CHER (p.44) — use solid line for tail

FROSTY CATS (p.46)

CAT WRAP (p.66)
 TEMPEATES, 77

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eucll
»

ws rm,

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a. =e
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Paes

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 TEMPEATES 72

ter="
ay
ae
OE
OUTLINES = BLACK

BAG A CAT (p.27)

80 TORGRAETY CATS

WAND
32

CASBAH AND HIS WIFE (p.30)

FROM GREY FELT

PAD x4
PEACH

PAD x 16
PEACH
BODY x 2
 TEMPLATES 81
A = GREEN
B =BLACK
C= WHITE
D = BLACK
B= BLACK
F = WHITE
G = WHITE
H = BLACK
I = WHITE
J = WHITE
K = BLACK

CAT-RINA'S TREASURE BOX (p.45)

Cut along solid lines

Tack-hem along dotted lines
Overlap to inner dotted lines
82 101 CKAFTY GATS

SMOKEY THE NEEDLE CAT (p.38)

BIS-CAT TIN (p.51)

CAT TRA-IL (p.55)

; 2

CATS IN THE MOONLIGHT (p.52)

CUPPY-CAT (p.53)
84. 101 GRAFTY CATS
BOARD CAT (p.47)
2 x.PAIR
OF LEGS
5'hin (14cm) SQUARE

1 x PAIR
OF LEGS +
4in (10%cm) SQUARE
2x EAR
2’sin (6cm) SQUARE

i
i 2 x BODY (1 REVERSED)
1 FILL WITH 4oz
WHEAT
t OR SIMILAR SEED
\
86 JOLCRAFIY CATS

CATMOBILE (p.48)
CAT WRAP (p.66)
 TEMPLATES) 87

Measure against face

for making eye holes

For back piece,

N cut along dotted line

CAT MASK (p.70)

88° 100 CRAFTY CATS
LINO CAT (p.68)

FAT CAT (p.53) A LETTER FROM YOUR CAT (p.67)

\'T CAKE (p.74)
 STOCKIST INFORMATION 89

Stockist information
General craft supplies
You will find almost everything you need in good craft or art stores.
However, there are two extremely good mail order companies who can
supply you with the special paints, magnetic strip, cats’ eyes, silk paints
etc. described in this book. I suggest you obtain catalogues from both and
what one doesn’t have the other will.
Atlascraft Ltd., Ludlow Hill Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2
6HD. Tel: 0602 360222/452202. In addition to general craft supplies,
Atlascraft are the largest distributor of Deka specialist paints.
Fred Aldous Ltd., PO Box 135, 37 Lever Street, Manchester M60 1UX. Tel:
061 236 2477. Great for general crafts, lino cutting equipment, glass circles
and magnetic tape.
Marabu silk paints, special effect pens and felt tips
Edding (UK) Ltd., Edding House, Merlin Centre, Acrewood Way, St
Albans, Herts AL4 OJY. Tel: 0727 846688. Write for information on local
stockists.
Silk ties and silk painting equipment
George Weil, The Warehouse, Reading Arch Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1
1HG. Tel: 0737 778868.
Embroidery, knitting and needlepoint requirements
Creativity, 45 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1BH. Tel: 071 240 2945.

Greeting card blanks

Impress Cards, Slough Farm, Westhall, Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8RN.
Tel: 0986 781422.

Crayola Model Magic

Binney & Smith (Europe) Ltd., Ampthill Road, Bedford MK42 9RS. Te!
0234 217786. Write for information on local stockists.
Toys-R-Us, Head Office, Geoffrey House, Van Wall Business Park, Van
Wall Road, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 4UB. Tel: 0628 414141. Branches
thoughout the UK.

Fridge magnets
Bob Mitchell, 27 Archibald Street, Gloucester.
90 101 CRAFTY CATS

Booklist

In the course of her research, the author consulted the following books:

The Chatto Book of Cats, Francis Wheen (Chatto & Windus, 1993)

Lucinda Lambton’s Magnificent Menagerie, Lucinda Lambton (Harper

Collins, 1992)
The Cat Companion, Amy Shojai (Michael Friedman Publishing Group,
1992)
The Secret Life of Cats, Robert de Laroche and Jean-Michel Labat (Aurum
Press, 1993)

The Life, History and Magic of the Cat, Fernand Méry (Paul Hamlyn, 1967)
The Complete Book of Cats, Judith A. Steeth (Bison Books, 1978)
The Complete Poems and Plays of T.S. Eliot (Faber & Faber, 1969)

The Brewer Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (Wordsworth Editions, 1993)

Brewers Myth and Legend, J.C. Cooper (Cassell, 1992)

Recommended reading:

How to Paint on Silk, Pam Dawson (Search Press, 1987)

The Dough Book, Tone Bergli Joner (Broadcast Books, 1991)
Papier Maché, Susanne Haines (Charles Letts, 1990)

Character Cakes, Sandy Garfield (Sidgwick & Jackson, 1989)

Practical Decoupage, Denise Thomas and Mary Fox (Anaya, 1993)
101 Greeting Cards and How to Make Them, Melinda Coss (Aurum Press,
1993)

Paint Roses and Castles, Anne Young (David & Charles, 1992)
How to Draw Animals, Famous Artists School (Cortina Learning
International, 1983)
 101
Craft
Cats y
This collection of simple and original projects is full of easy-to-make gift ideas featuring cats. Many different crafts are used, with
simple step-by-step instructions for each and a selection of cat templates to trace off
For cat fans and craft lovers, this is the ultimate cat book: make-your-own pet project or portrait using simple techniques, everyday
materials and learning new crafts along the way
No special skills are necessary, and anyone can produce finished projects of professional quality, making cats of all shapes, sizes
and varieties, from the following methods:

DOUGHCRAFT: Earrings * Badges * Pencil Tops * Cat Plaque * Paperweights * Cat Mirror
PAPIER MACHE: Money Box * Nest of Cats * Door Stop * Dishes * Cat Bookends
FABRIC CATS: Cat Rug * Shopping Bag * Plaited Mat * Soft Toys * Juggling Cats
STITCHCRAFT CATS: Needlepoint Cat Collar * Key Fob * Pin Cushion * Needlecase
Patchwork Pillow * Knitted Mittens
WOODEN CATS: Coat Hooks * Boxes * Fridge Magnets * Noticeboard * Catmobile
PAINTED CATS: On metal, enamel and wood * Silk painting * Glass painting
PRINT AND PAPER: Decoupage boxes * Cat wrapping paper * Cat stationery * Lino cut cats
Jewelled mask
EDIBLE CATS: Recipes for cat-shaped and decorated cakes, biscuits and cookies

CRAFTY CATS FOR ALL OCCASIONS, PLUS CAT LORE, HOW TO DRAW A CAT AND MUCH MORE

-O-
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Aurum Press u ISBN aaron

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1-85410-340-7

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