We have (ahem) multiple cats.
But between us humans, we have only two laps.
Therein lies the rub. At any given moment, several cats are lapless.
So when I saw this photo lately, on the internet, it seemed the answer to a felt need!
And so very easy to make, with otherwise unwanted, unused items around the house.
I got the jeans years ago, at a Goodwill store. They’ve always been way too long and I kidded myself into believing I would hem them.
But I never have.
The belt has been around forever, too. Whereas the jeans were too long, the belt was too short. I’ve kidded myself into believing I’d drop a few pounds.
But I never have.
The stuffing is odds and ends of quilt batting and every quilter knows how that can pile up. I’ve told myself I would make some small quilted pieces, to otherwise use up these scraps.
But I never have.
On Saturday, I sewed up the legs of the jeans and stuff them full of batting. I arranged the legs and pinned them into place. I cinched on the belt.
And I announced to the cats that this lap was open for business!
If you know cats, you know that they are independent and not especially eager to please. They were unmoved by the great personal trouble I had gone through on their behalf.
Just one allowed herself to be plunked in the lap and relaxed long enough to have her photo taken.
Since then, others have walked by and looked, but so far the lap is unloved, un-laid-upon.
So, while I was ScrapHappy, the lap is unhappy. I will try placing it in different locations and sprinkle it with catnip. But I have my doubts . . .
ScrapHappy is open to anyone using up scraps of anything – no new materials. It can be a quilt block, pincushion, bag or hat, socks or a sculpture. Anything made of scraps is eligible. If your scrap collection is out of control and you’d like to turn them into something beautiful instead of leaving them to collect dust in the cupboard, why not join us on the 15th of each month? Email Kate at the address on her Contact Me page. She welcomes new members. You don’t have to worry about making a long term commitment or even join in every month, just let Kate or Gun know a day or so in advance if you’re new and you’ll have something to show, so they can add your link. Regular contributors will receive an email reminder three days before the event.
Here are the links for everyone who joins ScrapHappy from time to time (they may not post every time, but their blogs are still worth looking at).
Kate, Gun, Titti, Heléne, Eva, Sue, Nanette, Lynn, Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Susan, Cathy, Debbierose, Tracy, Jill, Claire, Jan, Karen,
Moira, Sandra, Linda, Chris, Nancy, Alys, Kerry (that’s me!), Claire, Jean, Johanna,
Joanne, Jon, Hayley, Dawn, Gwen, Connie, Bekki, Pauline and Sue L.
Love Those "Hands at Home" 
Okay, this is pretty funny. Wouldn’t you know the cats are choosing to show who is really in charge by not being happy with only two laps but pointing out they prefer ‘human’ laps. Great scrap project, and I hope they see the benefit of an extra lap available 24/7.
So far, the cats are sleeping everywhere *except* on the lap! They really are so contrary . . .
😂 maybe they need a warmer in the lap yet. I like the idea maybe I should try one on our dog to see how a dog responds to a made lap..
Try and find a really big pair of jeans if you do try this. I keep thinking the lap I made isn’t roomy enough–I should’ve gone to the thrift shop and found a pair of men’s extra tall/big jeans for it.
Hilarious! Bloomin’ cats – they insist on being awkward don’t they? Mind you, I did a double take at that first photo and wondered what the hell had happened to that poor person so maybe they’re a little freaked out too.
Of our 5 cats, only two are fully committed lap cats, while two are sometime visitors to the lap and one won’t countenance it at all.
It is rather unsettling, to walk into a room and see that half-person sitting there! And the cats are completely ignoring it . . . wretched animals!
What a great idea! Once they get used to it, I bet they’ll be fighting over it.
We’ll see. So far, there’s little to no interest. It figures . . .
Maybe they want warm human flesh to knead and needle. This lap won’t be squeaking in pain when the claws are applied, and there will be no strokies when they purr. You can hear it, can’t you: “We are not fooled, human slave. We know you are not about your proper duty and homage to Us. Make a proper lap immediately or the consequences will be swift and terrible!”
HA-I bet that’s exactly what they’re saying! I’ll leave the thing around for awhile and see if it gets any action. Luckily, it’s would be easy to disassemble, should they continue to ignore it.
Kate is right. Can’t fool cats. 😉
Nope. Silly beasts–they might actually enjoy it, if they would only deign to try it!
I think what is missing is a heater inside the stuffing…..
You might be right! It would be easy enough to set the whole thing on a heating pad. I’ll try that.
I can just picture your fur baby thinking “interesting fun idea” but ” you can’t fool me”
She does look awfully comfy in it though
She does look comfy! But it only lasted a few moments and she has not been back. Nor have any of the others. And to think, I slaved over a hot sewing machine for them!!!
It might not fool the cats, but I am pretty sure it would fool me, over and over. I would probably jump every time I walked by it, thinking someone had left a victim in my house. I think I would have to give it an upper torso at least, and maybe a head. A very fake-looking head so I would remember I had made a sort of cat-support (can’t call it a scarecrow!). 🙂
I read a LOT of murder mysteries so, I admit, that thing has spooked me a few times, too. The cats are showing no interest, though. None.
I can’t wipe the grin off of my face. Your writing, your cats, this project, cats in general, all of it, wrapped up in a clever scrap-happy post. Nicely done, KerryCan. You sure can. Yesterday I tossed a lovingly made cat bed that I’ve moved from room to room, closet to bed, to floor and finally gave up. Cats! I love them one and all. xo
Thanks, Alys–I knew you’d be able to relate to all this! It’s so funny where the cats are willing to sleep and where they won’t. They’ll curl up in a ceramic bowl that is clearly too small, not to mention hard and cold, but won’t touch a lovely kitty bed. They’re contrary beasts and I love them all!
Me too!
Make yourself a beautiful, delicate shawl and they’ll snuggle down on it immediately, it’s just the way of the cat. Years ago we bought a sort of hammock to hang on the radiator for our cats to sleep in. Needless to say, the cats mostly ignored it, but our small terrier learned how to climb into it and thought it was wonderful.
Dogs are so easy to please . . . But, you’re right–I can’t leave anything nice out or the cats will ruin it. The more I love it, the more they do, too. It’s like those scratching posts you can buy–the cats will *not* touch them, preferring the furniture and carpets.
Kerrie, keep us posted on when and if the cats accept your offering.
Well, if the first few days are any indication, there won’t be much to update! The lap sits there, lonely and unloved . . . . 😉
So funny!! I have passed on a dozen specially created items that were sniffed at and declared wanting – but never a personally made lap! 🙂 I tell you though, if you take up crocheting and put your work aside, or in stacks on a table – powee! – thank you ma’am!!
Oh, I know! I just had to re-wash and re-iron a vintage tablecloth I want to list on Etsy because “someone” walked on it. How do they know?? We give and we give and we give . . . and they only take. 😉
I read this and glanced around to see what my boy was up to – yep! He’s on the table, perched happily on my neatly folded, newly washed linen top, that is waiting to be ironed so I can wear it out this evening …. He sees me looking and proudly smiles and purrs up at me. Geez!!
oh what a fabulous idea!!!! We’ve got 3 cats and one of them always wants to sit on my lap when it’s not convenient. I might give this a try too, even if it doesn’t work, there isn’t really much to lose, is there?
There’s really nothing to lose! It’s so easy and you probably have everything lying around already. The only thing I did not do was sew fabric in the top, to cover the filling. I’m not going to take the time to do that until I have an idea if the cats will eve use the thing (and, so far, it doesn’t look good.)
So ingenious and hilarious. Who comes up with these wild and crazy ideas? I hope the cats eventually come around. Being cats, they’re probably using the lap anytime you’re not home.
Don’t give up! Try putting a heater in there. Hot water bottle?
You might be right . . . I’ll try a heating pad. I did try catnip. They’re just so contrary . . . .
Give the time, and they may change their minds…
Maybe. Maybe not, if the last few days are any indication . . . Sigh.
Maybe, as well as a heater and a recorded sound track of a human going “ouch” when the claws go in, it also needs the scent of you. Unworn jeans? No lovely human smell. One of my cats used to love to sit on any clothes we left lying around, as he seemed to enjoy the comforting smell of us. The clothes basket was a great place to snuggle into.
I really do thing I should’ve used an old pair of unwashed jeans. When we have to board a cat, we always take along an unwashed sweatshirt or robe for them to sit on and it seems to make a huge difference. I like the idea of the recorded soundtrack, too . . . . 😉
I love it. But then, I’m not a cat. I’ve also found our cats to have a mind of their own. I’m currently using up scrap and odd skeins of yarn for smaller weaving projects. 😊
You can never predict what a cat will want, can you? Maybe you should participate in the Scrap Happy monthly posts, too, to tell us how you use up scraps. You can find the contact info at the end of my post . . . .
So clever, but not fooling the meow! Mine are only occasional lap sitters, but I don’t think they’d go for this…they prefer the basket of freshly washed laundry, the fabric I’ve just washed for baby quilts, or to get into my bed before I’ve had a chance to make it.
My cats have the same preferences yours do! It’s uncanny, really, how they find just the right (right for them, wrong for us) spots . . .
This is brilliant, Kerry, in every respect. You will have to publish a sequel post in due course to let us all know whether the cats eventually give their approval!
If any of them would give the thing a second look, I’d trumpet it from the mountaintops! So far . . . nothing. But I’ve had fun reading people’s comments so something good has come from it!
Oh this is priceless! 😂 We, on the other hand, have a surfeit of laps – real ones – since neither of our two young felines have any interest in making use of them in the way that our much-missed older cat did. I’m hoping that maybe when they’re older….
Meanwhile, I shall hope that one of your bunch deigns to make use of your lapwork. Though if they’re anything like our two you haven’t got a hope!
It’s odd, isn’t it, how some cats love to cuddle and others are so aloof. Even the ones who like a lap are having nothing to do with my Scrap Happy creation . . .
You may have to donate your scrappy-happy lap to a home with a lappy-happy cat. It would be so nice to have your hard work put to good use 😸
oh dear, could you place a couple small balls of yarn in the “cat lap” and see if that gets their attention?
If I could put a tiny loom in the lap, the cat in the photo would probably stay there all day. She *loves* a loom!
Your cats are howling with cat laughter behind your back – do you know what she did now? If you put out something dear to you, they will find it immediately and adorn it with hair. At least you’re ready for next Halloween. A bowl of candy would fit nicely in that lap.
I’m sure you’re right–they are mocking me, even as we speak. Ingrates . . .
This is very funny, Kerry and your cats are behaving just as most cats would behave!
I have had cats all my life–why would I have thought they’d like this? Of course they don’t! Should’ve known . . .
Haha!
Drat those finicky felines! 😀 Regardless of a cat’s taste in laps, this is a rather clever scrap happy project. Makes me think of Garfield. *snicker*
I love the jeans lap you made but if you want the cats to sit in it, you have to tell them no first. Then you won’t be able to keep them off of it. Fickled creatures. They want your body heat and your smell in that lap. What a fun idea though. Gave me a good giggle.
Ha! Good luck with teaching your cats to be appreciative.. we never managed it.
We have one, who we saved from quite an awful fate, and I swear, he does seem appreciative. But he still won’t sit on the cat lap I made. He’s not *that* appreciative.
Ha, ha, ha… I know of some cat-lovers who are getting this forwarded to them. – Oscar
You can also tell them not to bother making a lap of their own–it’s a definite non-starter around here!
Well this is an interesting use of scraps or more of an upcycling. Purr-fectly executed. Very creative and artfully arranged, just probably not kneaded by the cats, ha! It’s funny the things we plan to do and the things or projects that actually get done.
Not kneaded at all, as it turns out! But it was a fun idea anyway.
Moving it is a good plan. We have several boxes and cat beds in the kitchen. I “freshen” up the boxes now and then with new, crackly papers. ;-D The favorite bed does not get used if it’s in the wrong spot. I find some cat containers are seasonal – too warm even for them so they go in the closet for summer. I love this! Very cute. Save it for next winter, you never know!
Yes, I’ll keep it around and move it occasionally, and wait and see. Once it fades into the background, the cats may be more willing to give it a try. And, in the winter, I’ll move it near the fireplace–that could be what tips the scales!
What a cute idea even if not exactly appreciated by your furry little ones.
It *is* a cute idea but it still sits, catless, gathering dust . . . sigh.
My cat always manages to sit on a favourite jacket that I’ve managed to leave out or my best throw rugs – she avoids all the older ones I’d rather she sat on! I suppose she has good taste…cats have minds of their own!
They certainly do have minds of their own! And they can be so contrary!
Ours is called Duchess – the name suits her!!