I'm Your Present Orange Kitten Cameo Necklace Giveaway!

Lilac and White Cat Applique Tee

Kelly has been selling her unique handmade clothing, accessories, and jewelry under the name I'm Your Present since 2007. Since then, the cheekily named line has gone on to sell in boutiques all over the world, and has become one of the top selling designers on Etsy.

I'm Your Present's creations include adorable appliqued and printed shirts and dresses, along with fun accessories made for grown up girls who still harbor a serious addiction to cute. In addition to her cat-themed offerings, don't miss out on other awesome items, such as an ice cream sandwich party dress, a panda-inspired playsuit, and her infamous cuts of meat dress that looks (and smells) a lot better than Lady Gaga's.

Kelly's styles are pretty, playful, and the purrfect accompaniment to your cool cat lady persona. As for the designer herself, she lives in Rhode Island with her "gigantic collection of stuffed ponies," and her kitty named Meatball.

Pink Persian Kitten Cameo Earrings

Fluffy Cat Portrait Badge

Ultraluxe Candy Pink Acrylic Kitten Necklace

Enter To Win!

Orange Kitten Cameo Necklace

Kelly has generously offered one lucky Catsparella reader the chance to win a lovely Orange Kitten Cameo Necklace from I'm Your Present!

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your name and some way for me to contact you if you win (email, link back to your blog or profile, Twitter, etc.). The winner be will chosen in a random drawing next Tuesday, August 7th at 5:00PM EST. This giveaway is open to everyone, so our international friends can participate, too! One entry per person, please.

Good luck, and be sure to visit the I'm Your Present Etsy shop, and follow them on Facebook for new listings and exclusive sales!

(If you have trouble leaving a comment, please email me at catsparella@gmail.com)

[Comments are now closed. Thanks for entering!]

Cat Cupcake Tuesdays

Kitty Cat Cupcakes

Kate from the KateMakesCake created these scrumptious kitty cupcakes as a fundraiser for the Hounslow Animal Welfare Society (HAWS), a West London-based foster care network that takes in domestic animals who have found themselves in desperate situations.

The vanilla and chocolate cupcakes are topped in vanilla buttercream, and decorated with white chocolate buttons, chocolate chips, chocolate icing, and Smarties. Check out Kate's blog to see more pictures of the sell-out treats, and to read about her experience fostering kittens through HAWS.

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Have you created or spotted any kitty-themed baked goods (or other foods) lately? If so, please submit your sweet tips for Cat Cupcake Tuesdays to catsparella@gmail.com!

Cart Pushing Cat Is Going Nowhere Fast

Cat Pushing Trolley

If cart pushing was an Olympic sport, the cat in this video would definitely be going for the gold. Just look at this fleet-footed feline go!

You know how some countries pour millions of dollars into their Olympic training programs so they don't get shown up in front of the rest of the world? I'm pretty sure that Japan has a similar program for cats to ensure that they consistently produce the cutest, funniest, and most bizarre cat videos on the internet.

Via Say OMG / Gif: The Fjelstad Manifesto

Cat Lady Love For Cleo The Cat Charm

Charlie's got #catswag

A long-time reader named Lisa recently dropped me an email asking if she could send over a present, writing, "I promise it's not a basket of kittens. Although a basket of kittens is always a tasteful gift!"

As promised, a basket of fluffy kittens did not show up at my doorstep, however I did receive a feline of another kind, in the the form of a delicate gold necklace.

It turns out that Lisa was looking for a cat charm for herself, but couldn't find anything that didn't seem "cheesy". Through a series of events, she hooked up with the daughter of a family friend, who had just started her own line of jewelry called Samantha's Charms. The two designed Cleo the Cat together, and Lisa loved how it turned out so much that she ordered a few for the cat loving ladies she has been working with on The Cat-vocates fundraising initiative for the MSPCA. Being the all-around awesome lady that she is, she also happened to have an extra one on hand to send my way, in recognition of my "purr-sonal commitment to informing and entertaining" my readers! Squee!

Catsparella in the freckled flesh

I have an immense amount of gratitude towards anyone who takes the time to read Catsparella, and words cannot express how touched I am by Lisa's thoughtful gesture. I love my new bling very much, and will think of Lisa fondly every time I wear it!

*In the interest of being disclosure-y, the necklace was a gift and Lisa did not ask me to write about it at all, but I would like to mention that if you interested in ordering a Cleo the Cat charm for yourself, you can do so here.

1950s Ethicon Suture Cat-a-log: Part II

I agree she's terrible, Doctor, but you know there are some even I can't train!

Long before Doctor Cat and I Can Has Cheezburger graced this digital earth, the surly kittens of the Ethicon Suture Cat-a-log were causing mayhem in black & white. The scans seen here were taken from a 1950s copy of the Ethicon Suture Cat-alog, distributed by Ethicon Suture Laboratories, Inc. The odd piece of ephemera, which I acquired after my dad picked it up for me at a book sale, was produced to help promote the surgical suture company, who promised that the catgut used in their products was NOT taken from actual cats, as the misnomer grossly implies.

Read More: 1950s Ethicon Suture Cat-a-log: Part 1

When I first posted some scans from the Cat-a-log back in April, there was some discussion as to whether they were the first lolcats; However, that dubious distinction belongs to photographers like Harry Pointer (1822-1889) and Harry Whittier Frees (1879–1953), who turned the act of taking and captioning adorable cat photos into shareable art. (For a more in-depth lolcat history, check out "Even in the 1870s, humans were obsessed with ridiculous photos of cats" over on io9.)

While these early examples certainly paved the way for modern kitty captioning practices, it still doesn't explain how today's generation of lolcats grew up to be the grammatically incorrect, cheeseburger aficionados that they are depicted as today.

Please God...make it a boy...

On Call

When I say fifteen minute scrub, I mean fifteen minute scrub

Never again will I trust an interne...

We'll need another interne to hold the retractors...

Breakfast...bedpan...lunch; Lunch...bedpan...supper; supper...bedpan...sleep...

So I sez to the old goat...

Hey Jonesy! Where'd you put those sutures?

...and you can tell the dietician I said so...

I've asked everyone, doctor, but we just don't seem to have any Fallopian tubes!

Now in your own words, tell me all about your dream...

Pussycat Inspired Paint Palettes

Jessica of Design Seeds has taken her passion for color, and turned it into dazzling palettes inspired by some of the more awesome things in life, like pretty minerals, blueberry crepes, and ya know, cats.

And while you can't walk into a store and request a swatch of cute just yet, Jessica outlines a system for identifying the colors used in each mood board so you can be well on your way to creating the Kittenish kitchen or Russian Blue bathroom of your dreams.

Via BuzzFeed / Design Seeds

Pretty Your Paws with The Love Cats Jewelry Collection by Meadowlark

New Zealand-based jewelry designers Meadowlark have earned a cult following for their dark, edgy designs, and their latest collection, The Love Cats, follows suit, recalling imagery from a triptych of mystical elements.

Cats Ears Ring

From their website's description of the collection:

"Drawing inspiration from immediate surrounds, Meadowlark have elevated everyday elements from their home. Three diverse motifs dovetail beautifully into this range, evolving an ongoing love for symbols of power and mystery. The Peony, A celebration of Spring, prosperity and peace. Crossed nails, a symbol of binding and making, jewellery made of nails was historically worn as pagan protection against mischievous magic, to ward off sickness and draw luck to the wearer. Completing the triptych, the Cat story is the boldest of the three. This stoic and silent guardian of the home also represents transformation, opportunity and freedom."

Cat Paw Stud Earrings

Cat Paw Cocktail Ring

Being a notorious lover of cat feetsies, I'm besotted by the entire line, especially the paw stud earrings, and the chunky cat paw cocktail ring, featuring a delicate set of kitty claws clutching at a pyramid shaped rose quartz.

Cat Paw Necklace

Cat Paw Pyramid Ring

The Love Cats Summer 2012/13 Collection is available for pre-order for your favorite cat blogger now through the Meadowlark online shop.

Japanese Cat Travel Commercials Are Adorable In Any Language

Nothing quite tickles me more than the way that the Japanese embrace cats as part of their culture, and one of my favorite examples of this is in a commercial depicting a cat business trip. In it, an orange and white tabby wearing a pair of glasses and a bow-tie hops the bullet train, before checking into a hotel for a business meeting.

The cat in the commercial is NyaRan, and he is the spokescat for Jalan, the travel booking arm of Recruit Co., Ltd., a classified advertisement, publication, and human resources company in Japan.

NyaRan has popped up in dozens of commercials for Jalan, illustrating how easily their services lead to awesomely adorable trips. After recently encountering another ad where the talented feline actor karate chops a watermelon in half with his bare paws (thanks to Twitter pal Lisa C. for the tip!), I decided it was high time to have someone translate a few of my favorites. As predicted, even a translation doesn't fully explain exactly what is happening on that beach, but in any language, it's still super cute.

NyaRan Business Trip

I am NyaRan.

I am on a Business Trip.

I will sell like crazy!

[NyaRan's Paw Steamed Bun]

[Revnue increase] - the red text

Business trip hotel reservations too

[Business trip hotel reservations too]

[JyaRan]

[Encounter something new]

Recruit

NyaRan and Travel Friends "Joyful Youth" Episode

I am NyaRan.

[Trip around Japan]

Summer is...

Vacationing with Friends!!!

[Ice]

Meow-!

[Overnight] *Sleepover-works as well

ZZzzzzz

[Overnight Reservations

JyaRan

JyaRan [Search]]

(Song - Ran ran jyaran~)

[Encounter something new]

Recruit

The Winding Journey of Teacher and Disciple Ran Nya

I am NyaRan.

This Summer..

-I'm traveling with my teacher!

Beachhhhh!!

Overnight. Overnight

Fancy-! Fancy-!

Ta-Ma-Ne-!! (A Japanese phrase people say when the fireworks go up)

[This Summer's trip too at]

JyaRan

JyaRan [Search]]

(Song - Ran ran jyaran~)

[Encounter something new]

Recruit

It's niceCM(commercial) Recruit JyaRan NyaRan

Hmmmmm???

[JyaRan Pack]

This is??

[Pack Pack JyaRan Pack]

[Flexible and Affordable JyaRan Pack]

(Reservation Confirmed)

[The name is just ordinary super hero]

[Travel fee and Hotels, combined value]

[JyaRan Pack]

Heave-ho

[JyaRan Pack [Search]]

[Encounter something new]

Recruit

Commercial 2:

[Athens]

I am NyaRan

This year I am going to fly the world!

[New York] Hello-!

[Seoul] Annyeonghaseyo-!

[Paris] Comment allez-vous-!

[Piza] It is tilted.

[Reservations at 180 countries of the world]

[JyaRan]

Reservations for World Hotels at

Overseas too at JyaRan

[Encounter something new]

Recruit

"Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs" Book Giveaway!

Katy Perry. Lady Gaga. Rihanna. Nicki Minaj. Long before these ladies were transforming their looks with multi-hued hairdos, the cats of "Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs" were expressing themselves through the power of technicolor locks.

As a creative-type person, I'm always looking for new things and people be inspired by, and Julie Jackson has been one major source of inspiration in my life, even before I started blogging. Jackson's Subversive Cross Stitch taught me everything I know about the addictive needlecraft, and evidence of my obsession still remain in my parent's living room in the form of matching Mom and Dad stitched tattoos that sit side-by-side on top of their television set.

After her success with Subversive Cross Stitch, Jackson teamed up with her beloved Siamese cat (and cover model), Boone, to create Kitty Wigs (the book), along with an eponymous line of mini-hairpieces made to fit your ultra-glamorous pussycat. She says the wigs "are not only a way to add something sublime to your cat's character, but they provide a way for you to spend more quality time together -- to dream together," while Cute Overload (another early blogging inspiration of mine) calls it, "totally new levels of redonkulessness." Kitty Wigs has been mentioned pretty much everywhere and has even been translated into Korean and Japanese, while Julie continues to prove to aspiring cat-repreneurs like myelf that it is possible to turn your quirky passions into a career.

"Glamourpuss" by Julie Jackson and photographed by Jill Johnson, features "60 stylish portraits showcasing furry models in the most fetching custom-made cat wigs ever created," and "begs to answer the age-old question: what on earth do cats do all day?" Kitty Wigs also has its own iPhone app, and recently became available in all digital formats through Amazon.

Enter To Win!

Ms. Jackson herself has generously offered one lucky Catsparella reader the chance to win a copy of "Glamourpuss: The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs" of their very own!

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your name and some way for me to contact you if you win (email, link back to your blog or profile, Twitter, etc.). The winner be will chosen in a random drawing next Tuesday, July 31st at 5:00PM EST. This giveaway is open to everyone, so our international friends can participate, too! One entry per person, please.

Good luck, and be sure to visit the Kitty Wigs website, and follow them on Facebook for fun updates and info on all of their latest designs!

(If you have trouble leaving a comment, please email me at catsparella@gmail.com)

[Comments are now closed. Thanks for entering!]

Cat Cupcake Tuesdays

How adorable is this cupcake featuring a naughty kitten, nestled in a ball of hot pink fondant yarn? Many thanks to Sweet Little Cakes, pequeños dulces for sharing this little work of edible art on my Facebook page over the weekend!

They write, "We love cupcakes, and we love cats!!! Here's a kitten in trouble!"

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Have you created or spotted any kitty-themed baked goods (or other foods) lately? If so, please submit your sweet tips for Cat Cupcake Tuesdays to catsparella@gmail.com!

Whimsy Kitten Catnip Toy Set Giveaway Winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered the "Whimsy Kitten Catnip Toy Set Giveaway!"

I used Random.org to determine the winner, and it selected comment #138 belonging to chiefbunney, who wrote, "I WANT IT!!! :)) I've never won something before... *sob* CATNIP IS MY DRUG *meow* THX ;)"

It looks like your luck is changing, my furriend!

Don't forget to stop by the Whimsy Kitten Etsy Shop or follow them on Facebook for more info on adopting an adorable plush cat or kitten of very your own!

Cats in Cars and Feline Agility: Garden State Cat Club Show & Expo 2012

Waffle and Tirzah

This weekend I donned my finest cat apparel (it's not like wearing a band's shirt to their concert, right?) and headed to the Garden State Cat Club Cat Show & Expo in Somerset, NJ. Far from just a cat show, the expo aims to educate the public about cats, cat care, and new products and training. The lobby of the exhibit hall is donated to numerous local shelters who are invited to bring their cats and kittens for adoption, and there are also informative demonstrations on feline grooming and first-aid. The event has been touted as one of the top two cat shows in the United States (the largest one on the east coast), and was even visited by John Fulton on the first season of Animal Planet's "Must Love Cats." (Read about my trip to last year's show here).

Feline Agility Course

In addition to checking out all of the amazing cats who were competing in the show and perusing all of the cool kitty gear for sale in the "Meow Mall," one of the highlights of this year's event was the Feline Agility Competition. You may have heard of dog agility courses, and feline agility is essentially the same thing, just with a smaller course, lower jumps, and more er..reluctant participants.

Instead of being motivated by the prospect of treats, the cats are led through the various obstacles with a feather wand toy (watch this "Kitten Agility Training" video for the cutest example you'll ever seen in your life). I did see a few young cats successfully make their way through the course, however most of the show cats seemed to enjoy giving their owners a work out, as they hid in tunnels, or attempted to go under hoops instead of through them. One particularly adorable five-month-old Persian (pictured above) was greeted with cheers after she entered the ring and jumped through a hoop unprovoked, before showing decidedly less interest while being led through the course by her now frustrated owner.

At one point, they asked for volunteers from the crowd, and heart racing, I excitedly jumped up and shrieked "Me! Me!" (Unfortunately, I was also too excited to think about asking someone to take pictures). After being given a brief run-down of the proper place to drag and tap the feather to achieve the desired results, I was paired up with a 7-month-old cat named Mr. Brown. A trained professional, this kitten could have run the course with his eyes closed, and in fact, I was the one doing most of the running as I struggled to keep up with the eager kitten as he shot from one obstacle to the next.

"Not bad!" the woman in charge of the ring said after we finished the course, before giving me an enthusiastic high-five. I was also awarded a certificate for my efforts, and you better believe I will be treasuring it for many years to come.

Waffle

Two more kitties who definitely lived up to their hype were Waffle and Tirzah, the car bound cats from Basic9.com. Waffle, the handsome black and white cat, wore red sunglasses and a patriotic bandana as he and his sleepy tortie sis made their way through the exhibit hall (and I excitedly chased after them, iPhone in hand). The duo are owned by Gregg and Karen Sue McCandless, who take them to various events, and hope they will inspire others to smile, "and be motivated to share this most outrageous moment when you saw the two cats that cruise around in their own miniature 1938 Model A car and cart."

Tirzah

Waffle may not actually have his license (Greg operates the car using a remote control he holds behind his back, and also speaks as the cat through a headset), but the amazing kitty car garnered quite a crowd on Saturday afternoon. During one particularly hilarious moment, the tenacious tuxie challenged a woman in a motorized wheelchair to a race -- to which she gladly accepted, and promptly lost.

All in all, I had a great time again this year, and met many kitties I will not soon forget. I also want to give a shout-out to Janna and her husband Andy of Chester SmooshyFace, who I finally got to meet in-person for the first time!

Cat or disapproving marshmallow?

Amazing Kitty Cake

Cat Dreams Are Made of These

My favorite IAMS Ambassador cat, Hope!

Anybody need a cat bib?

Each of the judging stations were decorated with a different theme. I want to be on their crafting committee!

For more information on the Garden State Cat Club, please visit their website at gardenstatecatclub.com.