Randi Warhol’s “Polydactyl Cat” Cat Toys

Randi Warhol is a local burlesque dancer who has an awesome name, a four-year old orange polydactyl cat named Elliott (after Elliott Smith) and a working stash of about 12 cat toy patterns in the shape of Asian sauce packets.

For non-cat freaks, a polydactyl cat means a cat with an extra toe or two.

Warhol’s been hard at work using skills built up crafting sexy costumes and pasties (she’s three years deep with Revival Burlesque) to sew tidy little soy-packet shaped cat toys stuffed with organic catnip. For cat moms and dads who don’t, for some insane reason, want their cat to get high on the nip, she also packs a few with organic bamboo fiber, which is softer and more earth-friendly than Target-y poly fill.

Why cat toys shaped like soy and hot sauce packets?

“There are actually a lot of Chinese-themed cat toys on Etsy at the moment, but I didn’t see any that I particularly liked,” explains Warhol. “Many people do the obvious fortune cookie, but there’s more to Chinese food than just the fortune cookies. I just might be the first to do sauce packets, because I haven’t seen any yet.  I will eventually offer more Chinese-themed toys that ‘think outside the takeout box.’”

Warhol’s also busy making hash brown-shaped cat toys for kitties who prefer their fake-food toys to be more Midwestern American breakfast style.

Polydactyl Cats cat toys available here and at the upcoming Art for the Cash Poor, Saturday, June 12th 1-6pm. A quarter from every purchase goes in the donation jar for PAWS, the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society.

** This post was written by Tara Murtha. **

Hide-and-Seek: Book Edition

Continuing the sneaky book theme from last week, I decided to undertake a project with the goal of crafting a hollow book as a gift for a friend. Now I don’t have the crafting chops of our Emily G. and her 8-foot giant squid, but nonetheless I took up my X-acto knife, Elmers Glue, Scotch tape (wow, so many crafty things are more commonly referred to by brand names rather than generic names…) and my paintbrush and went to work.

I got the idea from this amazing online guide that explains step-by-step, with pictures and captions, how to take an old book and turn it into a hiding place for all your deepest, darkest secrets. Added bonus, Heather Rivers, the woman behind the guide, is hilarious and throws in some entertaining “steps” along the way.

Sadly, due to my lack of crafting discipline (I fell asleep last night while waiting for glue to dry, no joke!), my hollow book isn’t done yet, but I’m not giving up and tonight I will continue my quest for craftiness. I’ll be sure to post photos of the book when it is finished. Just prior to the falling asleep mid-crafting faux paux I did manage a picture though:

Yep, that’s it, the tiny reddish-orange book squished between the radiator and a pile-o-heavy-stuff! As always, I apologize for the crappy iPhone picture, but until a digital camera magically appears on my doorstep this is as good as it gets kids!

Happy Wednesday: Introducing the Sassy Domestic.

Okay, so maybe your picket fence is actually a row of garbage cans lined along the curb of your sidestreet and your 2.5 kids are your twenty-something dude roommates who don’t need you to transport them to various extracurricular activities, just a ride home from the bar after last call once in a while.  That doesn’t mean you can’t revel in a bit of domestic bliss.

You don’t have to sport a Peter Pan collar or a diamond on your ring finger.  What the hell, you don’t even need a man at all! It’s 2009 and about time that tradition had a makeover.  I give you: the Sassy Domestic. She works.  She leaves dishes in the sink.  She might call him.  She might not.  She’s any girl who can enjoy a good recipe when paired with a tall can of beer.

Every domestic needs a good cookbook.  Written with the sassy domestic in mind, I Like You is an indispensable guide chock full of recipes, notes on ettiquite, and part ideas all from the whimsical mind of Amy Sedaris.  You probably know her best as Jerri Blank from the TV series, Strangers With Candy. If you don’t know her, get to know her and you’ll make a beeline to the bookstore for your new kitchen bible!

While cooking alone or for your roommates, impress others or just feel more legit with an adorable apron from Anthropologie.

Spruce up your space without spending a fortune with Orla Kiely’s home line for Target. What would a girl do but dream without Target’s sweet designer collaborations?

Sprucing up may also involve cleaning out, but don’t toss everything!  This D.I.Y. project can make an old record worth your time!

Lastly, nothing makes a home more homey than candles.  Make your own teacup candles to give that glow a personal touch!

Sew what?

Spool, located at 1912 South St, is in Back-to-School spirit and offering lots of September classes. Novice or crafty-maven, there’s one for you. And with so many bright and whimsical patterned cottons, creative inspiration is always on hand.

The folks at Spool obviously have a passion for the stuff; they’ve even crafted custom covers for each sewing machine in the instruction room!

In a selfless move of crafty generosity, they’ve supplied the pattern for these covers on their website. Or, click here for instant gratification.

Brooke’s Faboo Femmes Cards

Inside it says: Remember Puberty

Philly artist Brooke Strauss makes these cute, multi-ethnic cards by hand.

How cute is Brooke? Catch her and her cards at the Clark Park Flea Market Saturday 7.12!

Inside of card: or your birthday…we should take HER out for a drink!

Inside of card: Or does your butt still hurt from last year?

Inside of card: …and the occasional moth

Inside of card: I’ll try not to embarrass you too much