Sparkle the Designer Cat's Blog, page 365

Calendar Winners! Plus Sale!

No, that is not a typo above. I have two calendar winners — one from my blog giveaway, and one giveaway that was for newsletter subscribers only! I try to have something special for my newsletter subscribers a few times a year, and this was one of them! If you want to become a subscriber, you can do so here.

Now, let me announce the winners! They both asked for the Outtake Calendar, which seemed to be the most popular choice.

The blog winner is one of my favorite kitty families: The Swiss Cats!

The newsletter winner is Denise J.!

If you are not one of the winners, the good news is that Zazzle is having a Black Friday Sale right now and you can save 30% on my calendars with the code ZAZBLKFRIDAY. And I’ve got a tip for you: if you ever miss the coupon code deadline, you can also check to see if there are any other coupons on the Zazzle coupon page!

Thanks for entering my giveaway, and guess what? I’ll have a really spectacular one for you early next week!

Oh, and in case you were wondering where Binga was…

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My 2016 calendars are here! Find my regular calendar on Lulu.com — OR get my calendar of outtakes from Zazzle!

Back Patio Hang Out

I thought you might like to see the new harness I was wearing when I did my close ups the other day. It’s part of my fall wardrobe!

It’s a lightweight hoodie, just perfect for the cooler weather here.

The hood part doesn’t work very well, though.

While I was out on the patio, I thought I’d do some exploring. In all the time I’ve lived here, I’ve never seen any humans use this big tub of water! I’m not sure why it’s here.

I also checked up on my catnip garden. It is looking pretty amazing.

There are other planters too… but they don’t have any catnip. I think something needs to be done about that.

That was fun! I need to come out here more often.
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My 2016 calendars are here! Find my regular calendar on Lulu.com — OR get my calendar of outtakes from Zazzle!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! If you are in the U.S. and celebrating, I hope you get lots of turkey… real turkey, not paper turkey!

I am grateful for a lot of things. But I will say, I was not grateful to pose with this turkey! I didn’t like it much. And from what I gather, it is at least 10 years old — Sparkle had to pose with it more than once.

What are you grateful for today?
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My 2016 calendars are here! Find my regular calendar on Lulu.com — OR get my calendar of outtakes from Zazzle!

Close Ups

Not selfies — my human took these when we were out on the back patio the other day.

Here is a slight side view of me.

This one is a very tight close up of my face.

And here is a profile of me watching birdies! Which one do you like best?
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My 2016 calendars are here! Find my regular calendar on Lulu.com — OR get my calendar of outtakes from Zazzle!

Sweet Accessories From Triple T Studios

Remember this pretty necklace from my Valentine’s Day giveaway? It’s made by my pals at Triple T Studios… and I am so thrilled that I am now part of their affiliate program! My human and I have admired their feline themed accessories for a really long time. Their jewelry and bags are for classy cat lovers, and I know that includes all of my readers! So I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite Triple T Studios items for you.

Classy Cat Silver Necklace

You know this necklace looks great on me… and it looks nice on my human too! It’s dainty and pretty, 925 sterling silver, lead and nickel free. It comes with an 18″ rolo chain. It’s got just the right amount of sparkle for the holidays… or any day!

Cat Paw Ring

You will just have to look at this cute ring on the Triple T Studios site to see how heart-meltingly adorable it is! It has the ears on one side, and the back are a pair of cat paws hugging your finger! It is 935 sterling silver and adjustable — one size fits most.

Cat Walk Tote

This stylish white tote has a black cat walking on one side… and a row of black paw prints on the other! Made of quality Poly Synthetic Leather, it has the look and feel of leather without the guilt. The designs are sewn and it’s 14″W x 10″H x 4″D, with black trim and a hidden magnetic snap closure. It also has matching accessories you will want to check out!

Refined Cat Wristlet

Travel light when you just need a few cards and your phone with this Poly Synthetic Leather wristlet! It is 7-1/2″W x 5″H, and is gusseted on the left to expand to 2″ wide. With a zipper closure, detachable strap and the cool kitties on the front, this cream, brown and pink wristlet helps you keep things simple while looking good!

Cat Print Scarf

This popular chiffon scarf is like a beautiful cloud encirling your neck! About 27-1/2″ wide by 63″ long, it is endlessly versatile, and the cat print background comes in black, light pink and beige. Plus it’s reasonably priced so you can get several to match your wardrobe — or give as gifts!

Cat’s Meow Striped Socks

Here are some really cute stocking stuffers! These poly-blend, ankle-length socks have smiling cat faces on toes and heels and come in six different colors. One size fits most — get one or two pairs… or buy the set of six.

I Love Black Cats Shaker

And guess what? While you’re buying a cool Triple T accessory for yourself or a friend, you can pick up something for your cat too! Filled with organic catnip and containing an intriguing rattle, the design on this cat toy was inspired by Mercy, the kitty who lives with the mother of the Triple T Studio’s male human! At 2-1/2″ x 3-3/4″, it’s the right size for most kitties to enjoy.

I hope you like my picks! There are more amazing items to check out at the Triple T Studios website. And remember — a portion of the net profits go to global conservation programs.

Disclosure: The links in this post are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you buy something after clicking on them. But I only share products with my readers if I think they will like them… and I really like these!
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My 2016 calendars are here! Find my regular calendar on Lulu.com — OR get my calendar of outtakes from Zazzle!

Because You Were Wondering

In my Whisker Greens post the other day, a lot of you were wondering why the refrigerator was so empty! Well, it is not the humans’ regular refrigerator. It is a small one out in the enclosed patio. The only thing it really gets used for is my human’s fitness water and energy drinks. Nobody ever eats anything up here.

Here is the refrigerator in the kitchen. As you can see, there is actual food in here, although not that much. The vegetables mostly belong to my human’s boyfriend. The Mint Chocolate Coconut Milk and the Artichoke Antipasto belong to my human — the rest of her food is in the freezer.

I have no idea what Binga is doing! I think this is one of her weirder photo bombs.
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My 2016 calendars are here! Find my regular calendar on Lulu.com — OR get my calendar of outtakes from Zazzle!

Litter Box Stealth for the Holidays – Tips and Tricks from petMD

This post is sponsored by petMD and ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™, and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about The petMD Cat Care Center, but I only share information on sparklecat.com that I feel is relevant to my readers. ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ and petMD are not responsible for the content of this article.

I’m reporting from the powder room for today’s blog post! A lot of you humans will be entertaining friends and family during the holiday season, and you are probably a little worried about your cat’s litter box. In an ideal world, all your guests would be passionate cat lovers who don’t care about scattered kitty litter, unattractive litter boxes and, um, the occasional smell. But the reality is that you would rather have the whole cat litter thing sort of “disappear” while you have company so that the visiting humans think your cats are so fabulous, they don’t even need a litter box. Well, fabulous we are, but we are not quite that magical. But don’t worry, I have some tips for you to keep litter boxes under cover for the holiday season, some inspired by petMD’s Cat Care Center and some inspired from around the web. I hope a few of them work for your situation.

Hide both cats and litter boxes in another part of the house.

If you are having big get-togethers, with lots of people coming and going, loud noises and active children, your best solution would be to sequester the cats and their litter boxes away from all the madness. You may like large gatherings, but they stress out most cats, and cats would be happier if you put them in a quiet room where they won’t be disturbed (except maybe by a feline loving friend or relative who wants to visit with them privately). And of course, you’d put the litter box there too so they have somewhere to relieve themselves.
Put up a decorative screen.

If the litter box is in the corner of a room, it’s easy to hide with an accordion-style screen. Just find one that matches the decor of your home and stretch it in front of the litter box, leaving enough space for your cat to enter and exit.
Hide the litter box with an end table and some curtains.

A good-sized end table, especially one with a drawer or a lip, can hide a litter box. Use one that the litter box fits under, and then tack curtains or fabric all around the inside of the lip so that it encloses the litter box. Leave a space open, or tie a space open for your cat to come and go.
Use a large wicker basket to disguise the litter box.

Cut a hole for your cat to get in and it’s an inexpensive, DIY version of litter box furniture.
If you have the budget, go ahead and buy litter box furniture.

There are different styles to fit every home, although they are a bit of an investment. If you are good with carpentry, you can also make your own, or modify a cabinet to enclose a litter box. Just make sure your cat is okay using this new house for his restroom.

Are you just worried about the litter box smell? There are a number of ways to keep that in check.

Baking soda is great for absorbing odor. Add a box when you change the litter and it really helps. If you’d prefer to try a litter deodorizer, use one that relies on eliminating scent rather than merely masking it with perfume. Perfume alone fools nobody, and we cats find it offensive.
Try carbon or charcoal. These are another way to absorb litter box smells. There are carbon litter box filters — or you can make little, odor-eating activated charcoal sachets to put in your cat’s litter box.
Scoop frequently! If you get rid of your cat’s litter box deposits promptly, their odors have less of a chance to permeate the house. Make sure somebody keeps an eye on the litter box and is ready to get rid of anything left in it.
Use enzymatic cleaners on any accidents. These are the most effective to get rid of odors… but you must follow the directions on the label.
Use the right kind of litter. The best litter for your cat is one that she likes, of course — but if it is also a type of litter that absorbs odor well, so much the better! Do a little research and see what works for your cat, and for you.

Want more information on eliminating litter box odor? PetMD has it right here.

I hope you got something useful from my tips! Now, if you will excuse me, I’ve got some business to take care of.

The Pet MD Cat Care Center is sponsored by ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™ Lightweight Cat Litter. This litter is dust-free and 50% lighter than regular cat litter, while still powerfully destroying odor. If you want to give it a try, click here for a $2 off coupon.

Find a store that carries ARM & HAMMER™ Clump & Seal™

Follow ARM & HAMMER™ on Facebook.
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My 2016 calendars are here! Find my regular calendar on Lulu.com — OR get my calendar of outtakes from Zazzle!

Office Chair Selfie

Excuse my stern look, but this is where I usually supervise my human — in her office chair, right behind where she sits — and instead of working, she is messing around with her iPhone! So I am going to take it away from her and do my Sunday Selfies shot.

Let me figure out where I want to set it up.

I look kind of weird here! Plus that kind of looks like a fake half-smile. Okay, let’s try another one.

Well… the focus isn’t that great, but I like my facial expression. Plus you can see Sparkle’s three awards from the Petties above me. It’ll have to do.

I’m done. Now I’m going to nap here while my human goes back to work.

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My 2016 calendars are here! Find my regular calendar on Lulu.com — OR get my calendar of outtakes from Zazzle!

Saturday Catinee: Helping Out the Acro-Cats

This is a little different from my usual Catinee — I have some friends who really need your help!

My human has seen the Acro-Cats a couple of times when they’ve rolled through our town. They are lots of fun, and although the kitties are very well trained, you never know what’s going to happen because the Acro-Cats humans let the cats take the lead. The best part is that the Acro-Cats are all rescue cats, and the head human, Samantha Martin, fosters kittens on the road. My human would love to adopt an Acro-Cat foster kitten someday!

The first time my human saw the Acro-Cats perform, they had a van that kept breaking down. It was completely inadequate for their touring show, so they raised money and got a 1963 GM bus that they tricked out for the cats. Now, after years of going back and forth across the U.S., the bus is starting to fall apart. It’s past time for new wheels, and the only way the troupe can afford the type of bus they need is through a Kickstarter campaign. It’s live now, and they could really use your support!

Here is their Kickstarter video, so you can see all the fun they spread and the good work they do. You also get to see lots of kitties doing tricks!

Can you spare a little bit to put towards this worthy campaign? You can find out more and pledge here.
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My 2016 calendars are here! Find my regular calendar on Lulu.com — OR get my calendar of outtakes from Zazzle!

Putting Whisker Greens #PetGrass to the Black Thumb Test

I’ve mentioned many times that my human has the blackest of black thumbs. According to Binga and Boodie, cat grass has never lasted long here, and not because they chew it to death (although they do love it). It’s my human! All she has to do is look at vegetation and it withers and dies. But I think we’ve found a solution to the pet grass problem that will even stand up to my human’s evil plant eye.

Before I continue, however, let me mention the inevitable disclaimer:

This post is sponsored by Pet Grass and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping create awareness about the launch of Whisker Greens but sparklecat.com only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Pet Grass is not responsible for the content of this article.

There! The great thing about Whisker Greens™ from Pet Grass® is that it arrives fresh to your doorstep, fully grown and ready for munching. It’s the good stuff too: wholesome organic wheatgrass, grown in real soil to soak up rich nutrients. The Whisker Greens humans do all the stuff that my human just can’t seem to get the hang of: they start with 100% certified organic seed, plant it by hand, then rotate the containers through their greenhouses so they get just the right amount of water and sunlight. Then, when they have reached the best growth stage, they ship it out to you. It’s nearly foolproof, as our experience has proven.

The three containers come in a resealable pouch; just take out however many you need and put the rest in the refrigerator. They say the pet grass lasts two weeks in fridge, but that seems to be a conservative estimate. We got our package of Whisker Greens right before my human and I had to travel to Livermore for my cat show the first week in November. So my human refrigerated it until we came back to do the photo shoot. The remaining two containers were sealed back up and returned to the refrigerator — and it’s a little over two weeks later and they are still doing well!

The containers are your standard black plastic planters, but the package comes with these more decorative covers. Your human just makes sure to water the Whisker Greens container a couple of times a week to keep it fresh and growing. Even my human was able to do that!

While we kitties are obligate carnivores, lots of us like to chew grass. It has fiber and it aids in digestion, plus it’s loaded with vitamins and micronutrients. It’s a nice add-on to our mostly-meat diet.

Want to give Whisker Greens a try? You can purchase a three-pack for $24.99. There’s also a Pet Grass subscription service for $22.49 per delivery — you decide how often you’d like to get it: weekly, every two weeks, every three weeks or monthly. From our experience, Whisker Greens are healthier and last longer than the usual store bought cat grass, and we were pretty impressed with this product. If you want to see how a one-time purchase does for you, you can get a 10% discount on that with the code sparkle10 at checkout.

I can’t wait to post how much we kitties here enjoyed our Whisker Greens! I’ll have a video for you soon. Can you figure out which of us was the biggest Whisker Greens muncher? Take a guess in the comments and I’ll let you know next time who it was!

Whisker Greens Facebook
Whisker Greens Twitter
Whisker Greens Instagram

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My 2016 calendars are here! Find my regular calendar on Lulu.com — OR get my calendar of outtakes from Zazzle!