An overdue update

So, as some of you may know, I took a vacation from my Etsy shop for awhile. I've had a lot of things going on here. I typically don't like to talk too much about my personal life in my blog, so I'll just say that the past couple of months have been really hard and challenging, mostly in emotional and physical aspects.

But the good news is I have re-opened my Etsy shop, and will be listing some new items soon I had been working on during my time off. I was planning on listing them earlier this month, but then I started having lots of problem with my computer, and then I was out of power for awhile due to the crazy storms and tornado activity that happened just a couple days ago in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. So that's why I haven't been on-line as much these days.

The storms have now passed, and I'm hoping the same applies to the personal problems I've been having too.

In the meantime, look for some great kitty goodies coming soon to my Etsy shop, including more catnip toys for your feline friends and cat themed sachets for yourself!

Below are two samples of new items to come...

El Pajaro - Mexican Bingo Card - Handmade Catnip Toy

Savory Sushi - Handmade Catnip Toy

Also coming here soon will be a new feature in my blog called "Cool Cat Customer of the Month"! I wanted to feature the cats that own my handmade catnip toys from my shop. My friend Katie (aka 'Mishkat' at Etsy) will be the first to be featured, including stories and photos of her beautiful cats, along with the toys I made that they now enjoy playing with! Also in the feature will be information about Katie and the wonderful and hard work she does for Etsy For Animals!

If you would like your cat(s) to be featured in the future for the "Cool Cat Customer of the Month", contact me at Etsy at: http://www.janediamond.etsy.com Thanks!

Til later...

Cheers from Catland,

- Jane

The Latest 'Mews'

Today I received the latest newsletter from Harmony House Cat Shelter and was happy to find that the photo below of my friend Melissa and I was used in the newsletter! The photo was taken at Harmony House's annual Halloween event.

Also a photo I took of three of the animal communicators at the event was used in the newsletter as well, and both Melissa and I received 'Furry Thanks' for taking photos at this event. It was a nice surprise to see out photos and names mentioned in the newsletter!

Melissa (left) and I at Harmony House Cat Shelter - 07

And below are a couple photos I took of some of the sweet kitties at Harmony House

Sambuca - my favorite cat at Harmony House!

Kitty Love!

A very cute and friendly orange tabby cat

~

In other news...tonight I'm working on a custom lavender sachet for a buyer at my Etsy shop. I make all my sachets and catnip toys by hand. I love to sew by hand, I find it very relaxing.

Update...here is the completed custom sachet. The front of the sachet (as in the photo below) features an original painting by me called "October". The sachet is completely filled with organic lavender and the backing fabric is purple with white stars. I was very pleased with how it turned out and hope the buyer who ordered it loves it and enjoys it!

I have the film "Grand Hotel" playing in the background. I usually work on my arts and crafts with a movie or some music playing in the background. Grand Hotel is one of my favorite movies from the 1930's. It's an excellent film with an all star cast. I love old hollywood, especially the fashions from that time period. The woman were so beautiful and elegant, and the men were very dashing and handsome. If you like old films, you should check out Grand Hotel! Lionel Barrymore is especially good in this film.

Cheers from Catland,

- Jane