We mentioned recently that Dijon uses his litter trays all day - such a good boy, but in the evening when the bunnies' area is extended into the living room, something goes wrong.
I am growing tired of picking up 30+ Dijon poos from the living room floor every evening before bedtime, so this evening I've reluctantly placed one of the three (yes, three) litter trays from their cage into a position near sofa where he seems to poo most frequently.
He jumped straight in and did a wee, and is currently scenting every edge of the tray and pooing all around it... on the carpet!
Thursday, 27 February 2014
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Messenger Bag
More sewing inspired by Mabel & Dijon. This time we've been hard at work on a messenger bag. As with the tote bag, this is made from unbleached calico, but is lined with material from an 'upcycled' duvet cover.
The bag is large enough to accommodate books slightly over A4 size, and has three internal pockets for holding a purse or wallet, smart phone, and a pen.
The edging is home made bias tape made from the same fabric as the lining.
Calico is a devil to iron, though. Just look at the creases.
The bag is large enough to accommodate books slightly over A4 size, and has three internal pockets for holding a purse or wallet, smart phone, and a pen.
The edging is home made bias tape made from the same fabric as the lining.
Calico is a devil to iron, though. Just look at the creases.
Saturday, 8 February 2014
Bag for Life
We've been busy sewing over the past couple of days. Inspired by the bunnies (who have been very settled over the last week), we made this 'bag for life':
The bag is made from unbleached calico with cotton appliqué rabbits. Dijon inspired the one on the left, and Mabel the right. Compared to the bags for life sold in supermarkets, this is far superior – stronger, more comfortable to hold thanks to its broad handles, and totally unique, of course. And at approximately 37cm (h) x 31cm (w) x 14cm (d) it holds just as much shopping.
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| A Bunny 'Bag for Life' |
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| Mabel & Dijon were the inspiration |
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| Dijon... |
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| Mabel... |
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Bedtime? No thanks.
We've worked out that at bedtime, when Mabel and Dijon are called back to their cage, Dijon becomes decreasingly obliging as the treat tin empties. We use muesli-type rabbit mix as a treat, just a pinch sprinkled into the cage so they can be busy finding it when the door is closed. When the tin is nearly empty, there are not so many of their favourite chunky bits, and Dijon gets a look about him. He almost seems to dig his heels in. He sits stubbornly, refuses to budge until we come close, then he darts into one of the boxes to hide.
A silly chase follows - of course we never win, then we have to pretend to give in, and give him cuddles when he relaxes, until he forgets what's going on and we can scoop him up and carry him back. Not ideal, but we like to go to bed before midnight!!
Meanwhile, Mabel takes advantage of the situation and finishes off the treats before greedy Dijon returns.
A silly chase follows - of course we never win, then we have to pretend to give in, and give him cuddles when he relaxes, until he forgets what's going on and we can scoop him up and carry him back. Not ideal, but we like to go to bed before midnight!!
Meanwhile, Mabel takes advantage of the situation and finishes off the treats before greedy Dijon returns.
Thursday, 30 January 2014
Poorly Mabel
A couple of days ago, Mabel showed no interest in her breakfast. Her portion was reserved for later, and she soon recovered enough to eat.Yesterday, however, she missed breakfast again and was obviously not well. We've often noticed that unwell bunnies sit oddly - not just the way they might sit or lie awkwardly, but in unusual places. Mabel was going from hunched up positions to fully stretched with even her chin stretched out on the floor, and settling in odd places, eg. the entrance to the cardboard tunnel, and facing the wall.
Dijon did his best to care for his poorly wife-bun. First he ate all her breakfast, then he licked around her mouth in an attempt to siphon her medicine, and he stuck his nose under her tail every time she settled. When she refused to budge, he scrabbled and scrabbled at her, demanding attention.
I tried tempting her with all sorts of tasty treats, gave her some. Metacam to relieve any pain she might have, and when she hadn't eaten for a few hours, syringe-fed her some Burgess mashed with water. We were beginning to think a trip to the vet might be necessary, when, very suddenly, in the early afternoon she resumed normal bunny services - chewing cardboard, pulling at carpet, and eating the treats we offered. Possibly the behaviour at the root of her problem?!
Dijon did his best to care for his poorly wife-bun. First he ate all her breakfast, then he licked around her mouth in an attempt to siphon her medicine, and he stuck his nose under her tail every time she settled. When she refused to budge, he scrabbled and scrabbled at her, demanding attention.
I tried tempting her with all sorts of tasty treats, gave her some. Metacam to relieve any pain she might have, and when she hadn't eaten for a few hours, syringe-fed her some Burgess mashed with water. We were beginning to think a trip to the vet might be necessary, when, very suddenly, in the early afternoon she resumed normal bunny services - chewing cardboard, pulling at carpet, and eating the treats we offered. Possibly the behaviour at the root of her problem?!
Saturday, 25 January 2014
As Seen On TV
We've been experimenting with appliqué and free motion embroidery over the past few week, and this morning an image of Dijon was created using a mix of both techniques. And early this afternoon, a photo of the finished work was shown on Create & Craft (the UK's only dedicated crafts shopping channel).
It went down very well with Debbie Shore and Leonie Pujol the presenters of the Create with Oekaki show. Dijon has a couple of new admirers!
Here are a couple of screenshots from the show:
It went down very well with Debbie Shore and Leonie Pujol the presenters of the Create with Oekaki show. Dijon has a couple of new admirers!
Here are a couple of screenshots from the show:
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Thursday, 16 January 2014
Poop monster
Since Christmas, Dijon has developed a habit of pooping on the carpet every evening. It seems that if he isn't given the attention he demands, then he will leave a pile of poops in the spot where he was sitting patiently (or not so patiently, depending on how he feels.) Sometimes it will be just a smattering, five or six little pills, other times he will deposit closer to thirty.
Once deposited, he will hop off to another spot, and if a cuddle doesn't come his way or meet his high expectations, another pile will appear.
Unfortunately, last night, he forgot himself and left an enormous wee on the carpet, right next to where we were sitting.
Let hope this isn't the beginning of more undesirable behaviour, or a sign of any infections...
Once deposited, he will hop off to another spot, and if a cuddle doesn't come his way or meet his high expectations, another pile will appear.
Unfortunately, last night, he forgot himself and left an enormous wee on the carpet, right next to where we were sitting.
Let hope this isn't the beginning of more undesirable behaviour, or a sign of any infections...
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
Post 100: Photo time
Here are the promised photos of Mabel & Dijon from the past few weeks. Remember, click to see a larger version of your chosen picture.
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| Mabel in her scrabble box |
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| Nibble from the treat trough |
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| You ain't seen me, right! |
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| Dozy Dijon |
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| Talk to the tail |
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| Sleepy heads |
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| Snack time |
A Belated Hoppy New Year
Yes, we've been remiss in not updating the blog for a while. Mabel and Dijon were very settled over the Christmas period, and were not at all perturbed by the presence of the tree, and the (minor) rearrangements to their living area.
Now the tree is down and everything is back to normal, so no doubt we will have a new round of mischief to contend with, especially with the days growing longer. More daylight = more naughtiness.
As was of apology for being so reticent over the past couple of weeks we'll be posting some photos of the bunnies very soon....
Now the tree is down and everything is back to normal, so no doubt we will have a new round of mischief to contend with, especially with the days growing longer. More daylight = more naughtiness.
As was of apology for being so reticent over the past couple of weeks we'll be posting some photos of the bunnies very soon....
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