7 Helpful Organizing Ideas for Homes & People with Pets

January 6, 2014
Some posts may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

Organizing ideas for homes with pets

Have you made a New Year’s resolution to “get organized” or beautify your home? You’ll want to check out these great ideas for some DIY inspiration. They’re all designed especially for homes with pets. Whether you’re planning a complete makeover or some simple improvements, every pet parent is sure to find something they’ll love!

dog entryway

GoodHousekeeping.com

Make Your Entryway Pet-friendly

Start with the entry way, foyer or hall. Wherever you go in and out with your pet makes the perfect place to store everything while keeping it handy. Use a bench with cubby holes to organize toys in wicker bins, keep shoes out of the way, and add some cute wall hooks for leashes and a towel to help wipe those muddy paws when you come in!

DIY pet armoire

bhg.com

Create a DIY Pet Armoire or Cabinet

This idea is great for small spaces or if you’re short on space. Re-purpose an old armoire, cabinet or entertainment unit by treating it to some colorful new paint! I love the idea of using chalkboard paint on the inside of the doors to help stay organized!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Pet Crafts & DIY Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Easy Pet DIY: Grow Your Own Catnip, Pet Grass, Kitty Garden & More

November 13, 2013
Some posts may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

grow cat grass

Cats love nibbling on greens & grasses, and besides being a tasty treat, it can also be good for their digestion. An affordable and fun project you can do at home is to grow your own catnip or other pet grass. Some varieties are suitable for rabbits, hamsters, birds, reptiles and dogs…just be sure to limit their access to the plants so you can control how much they are munching!

cat grass seeds

The least expensive way to grow your own pet garden is by starting with a pack of seeds. You can pick them up at many pet stores, or buy them online at sites like Amazon, which carries a large assortment of varieties here. Get creative with the planter by using an old mug, handpaint a pot, or make a small wooden window box. An old pet food bowl would be cute, too! Just make sure to add some rocks for drainage or drill some holes.

kitty garden kit

In addition to packets of seeds, there are also a bunch of super cute and fun kits that make for nice gifts and have just about everything you need to start your own pet plant or kitty garden, including the container. You’ll find everything from organic kitty garden kits with oats, wheat, rye and barley, to simpler catnip greenhouse kits like this DuneCraft Sprout ‘n Grow Greenhouse.

self grow pet grass

Browsing around, I spotted this Pet Greens Wheat Grass that grown right in the package…neat idea and looks like something kids would love helping with, too! In addition to being a tasty homegrown pet treat, it also makes a super fun science project!

You can go here to browse more ideas and options for growing a pet garden. Most are between $1-$10 so it’s definitely an affordable DIY pet project to try at home…even if you don’t have much of a green thumb! The fun part is to experiment and get creative.

Have you tried growing your own container garden for your dog, cat or other pet? Let us know how you did it and what they liked the best!

Filed Under: Pet Crafts & DIY, Pet Deals Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Carve A Pumpkin To Look Like Your Dog — Free Printable Stencils + Carving Tips

October 27, 2013
Some posts may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

carve a dog pumpkin

Here’s a great Halloween freebie for dog lovers! BHG.com has a gallery of printable pumpkin stencils in 25 different dog breed designs. You can carve your jack-o-lantern to look like your own dog or choose a different type of dog just for fun. I think the Chihuahua is especially adorable and wish we had room for enough pumpkins so we could carve them all! Go here to download one or all of the dog pumpkin stencils via free PDF files.

UPDATED Recommendation for 2021:

Easy Pumpkin Carving Tool Kit

Check out this new Pumpkin Carving Kit with Tools,  LED Candles and Stencils to help making carving easier, safer and more fun!

pumpkin carving tips

Pumpkin Carving Tips from Woof Woof Papa

If you’ve been following us on Facebook or Instagram you know that Woof Woof Papa is a pumpkin-carving wizard! Here are a few tips he has for carving the perfect pumpkin:

  • When choosing your pumpkin, think about the type of design you’ll be carving and make sure you get one that is tall and big enough.
  • Clean and dry your pumpkin before carving.
  • Tape your stencil, or draw your design before cutting the opening.
  • Cut the bottom, not the top.  I was raised to cut the top off, but it looks cool and is easier to light the candle or hide the cord from a string of lights when the opening is at the bottom.
  • Make sure to scrape well to get out all the goop.  Be sure to save the pumpkin seeds to roast later!
  • Take your time and use tools if you’re doing an intricate design ($2-4 at Michael’s)
  • Don’t stress if you goof up a little…imperfections give your pumpkin extra character!

Last night we (he) carved a spooky cool witch and spider, and tonight we’re going to do a dog-themed pumpkin for Daisy. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to see how our pumpkins turn out! Are you carving a pumpkin this year?

Dog Pumpkin Stencils for Halloween

Let us know what design you’re doing and feel free to share a photo of it with us on Facebook. We’d love to see!

 Top photo: BHG.com

Filed Under: Pet Crafts & DIY Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

FREE Shutterfly Hardcover Photo Book ($23.99 value)

September 6, 2013
Some posts may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

free photobook

Here’s a super great idea of what to do with all those cute pet and family photos you’ve taken this year…make a FREE photo book! It’s perfect for your coffee table or to give as a gift and they are easy and fun to make DIY Pet Project!

Just order by September 11, 2013 (11:59 P.M. PT) and snag one free 20-page 8×8 hard photo cover photo book. Offer cannot be redeemed more than once per account and/or billing address. Taxes, shipping, and handling will apply. Make sure to use Shutterfly promo code SUMMERBOOK when you order.

You can add options to your 8×8 book (extra pages, cover options, layflat pages, Storytelling styles, memorabilia pockets, etc.) at additional cost. You can also apply the Offer Value of $23.99 toward the purchase of any larger photo book. (Not valid on 5×7, 7×9, 8×8 soft cover, or 8×11 soft cover photo books, prepaid plans, other products, or prior purchases.)

Shutterfly has all kinds of design templates and themes so all you have to do is choose the one you like and drop your own photos and text in where you want it.  I made one for Daisy’s daddy last year for Christmas and it turned out really CUTE!

Daisy-shutterfly-book

You can also use the free book offer to create a cookbook, baby book, vacation book, or just about any else you can think of. It’s a great chance to put some of those favorite photos to use instead of leaving them trapped in your phone or digital camera! Go HERE to get started and remember to order by 9/11 and use Shutterfly promo code SUMMERBOOK at checkout!

Filed Under: Deals, Pet Crafts & DIY, Pet Deals Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

7 DIY Pet Projects, Crafts and Recipes

August 19, 2013
Some posts may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure.

diy pet projects, crafts and recipes

Do you love DIY and craft projects almost as much as you love your pet? Then you won’t want to miss any of these fabulous pet projects, crafts and treat recipes. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite tutorials, recipes and patterns to help you get your craft on!

pet scrapbooking

Pet Scrapbooking

Save all those precious memories of your fur kid with these great tips and ideas on how to create a scrapbook especially for your pet. Go here for tutorial.

organic cat treats

Homemade Organic Spinach & Chicken Cat Treats

Learn how to make these easy and crunchy organic cat treats for your kitty.  With organic catnip, chicken and more tasty ingredients, they are sure to be a hit with even the most finicky feline friend! Get the recipe here.

diy dog coat

DIY Water-Resistant Dog Coat

The queen of all DIY Crafts, Martha Stewart, has a whole section of great pet craft projects including this one on how to make your own doggy coat. We think it looks more like a vest, but it’s super cute either way! Go here for the instructions.

 diy dog silhouette

DIY Dog Silhouette Art

Create your own wall art using your dog’s silhoutte. Stunning and simple! According to the author, the most difficult part is getting your dog to sit still for the photo. Learn how here.

make your own salmon treats for dogs

Salmon Cookie Recipe for Dogs

This easy recipe uses salmon or tuna and other natural ingredients to create adorable and yummy treats for your dog.  Now I just have to go find a fish-shaped cookie cutter! Get the recipe here.

knit dog toy pattern

Knit a Dog Toy

This intermediate knitting project calls for small double-pointed needles and worsted weight yarn. It looks a little challenging for a beginner like me, but it’s so darn cute that I had to share it! Get the dog toy knitting pattern.

Homemade Wild Bird Treats

Make Your Own Wild Bird Treats

And finally, here’s one for the birds! These easy, hanging treats for wild birds make a great gift idea…and would look so cute hanging outside the window. Get the super simple directions.

Filed Under: Food, Pet Crafts & DIY Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »