My Blogging Journey
Hey there! I’m Melissa, and I make things. I was first bitten by the craft bug as a child in the ’80s, and I have been crafting ever since.
I began my blogging adventure in 2006 when I first learned to crochet from a craft blog on the internet. I found myself sucked into the world of craft blogs and just had to start one of my own.
I started this blog in 2006 to showcase some of my craft and DIY projects. I never imagined that it would lead me to run my own online handmade business and be published in several craft publications, including Interweave. It is totally a dream come true!
Blogging back in 2006 was so much simpler. People really didn’t care much about the look of your blog; it was all about the content. There was no Pinterest. No Instagram. It was much more organic. Oh! How times have changed! And that is one of the reasons why I pulled away from blogging. It became more of a chore than a passion.
A little over ten years later, in 2017, I fell away from blogging and crafting after I lost my 13-year-old cat, Drusilla (who was the original inspiration for this blog), to kidney failure and my 13-year-old job in publishing to downsizing (13 really was an unlucky number for me). But after many hours of blood, sweat, and tears, many tears, I finally found a new career and a hunger to craft and blog again.
What Do I Craft?
Over the years I have taught myself a hodgepodge of craft mediums. Through trial and error, I discovered my love of fiber art. I primarily make items by crocheting, hand sewing, and cross-stitching, but I do dabble in other crafty ventures as the inspiration moves me. I also try to DIY as many projects as I can, but I am no Bob Vila.
Where do I get my inspiration? Besides the obvious craft blogs and Pinterest answers, I find inspiration in a variety of ways: library books, vintage magazines, and photographs, but most often, I find it in pop culture. Music, movies, and TV inspire me every day, especially retro pop culture. I am a child of the ’80s, so I am greatly inspired by the sights and sounds of the ’70s and ’80s.
What is the Goal for Crafting with Cat Hair?
My goal for my crafty blog is to not only craft projects that make me happy but to share beginner/intermediate craft projects that you can make with minimal expense. Money is tight for so many of us. My hope is you will find some cute and fun projects that can bring you joy and save some money too.
My mission is quite simple: to spark your creativity by providing ideas, tutorials, and resources that will help you live an inspired and happy life without spending a ton of money.
First and foremost, this blog is meant to be a fun, clean, and stress-free environment for you and me, which is why I have decided to remove the comment feature from this blog. Visit the contact page if you would like to contact me.
Most of the projects and tutorials are simple and inexpensive, and the resources I list are largely free. So with these resources and very little money, you will be creating your own fun and heartfelt handmade projects in no time
For each project, I will include the following:
- Experience level
- Cost level
- Link to the original pattern/instructions
- My thoughts on the project
- Mini mixtape playlist
Who is This Blog For?
It is for me. I miss being able to express myself artistically and creatively. Sure. I can do that in the living room of my home while I’m curled up on the couch with my kitty, Daphne, watching Netflix. But blogging holds me accountable for completing my projects, which is always an issue for me. I tend to have a ton of WIPs going at once, but I have a hard time getting around to finishing them.
It is also for you. I love having the opportunity to share with you not only my craft projects, but any tips, tricks, book reviews, craft roundups, tutorials, and other crafty things that I find interesting and useful.
If you have a pattern that you would like for me to craft and feature on my blog, please fill out the contact form on my contact page with the name of the pattern, the designer, and a current link to the pattern. If it is something that I feel would fit well with my blog, I’ll add it to my to-make list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did you come up with your blog name?
My blog was named due to my first fur baby, Drusilla (she crossed the rainbow bridge in March 2017). Her black hair was always ending up in all of my craft projects, so I thought it was a very appropriate name. I adopted a second fur baby, Daphne (she crossed the rainbow bridge in October 2021), who was a Ragdoll and had even more hair than Drusilla.
I love all animals, especially cats, and am very passionate about animal welfare, so I try to not use any animal fiber or products. I do have some yarn in my stash that is a wool blend that was gifted to me, but I really try to only purchase and craft with acrylic, cotton, and synthetic yarns. To read about some of my favorite yarn and craft supplies check out the Resources tab on the top of the blog. I will never recommend something that I don’t like and use myself.
So, do you really craft with cat hair? Did you write that book. . .
In 2013, a book was released using my same blog name. It caused quite a headache for my little craft blog and caused me to take a break from blogging for several years. But just so you know, I am not affiliated with that project in any way. And, no. I do not literally craft with cat hair, at least not intentionally. My motto is: into every craft a little cat hair must fall.