Cute Things #3

I found this little beauty at a thrift store in a box full of wires and Christmas lights. The red string was intertwined with the wires, and it took some work to free it. I'm so happy I did, though. It's a wind-up toy! When you wind up the mama hen, she starts walking, and her baby chicks follow behind! I don't know if you can see how cute this is, but if you can, you must be oohing and ahhing right now. :-)

Mama is 2 1/2 inches (7 cm) tall, and her babies are 1 inch (2 1/2 cm) tall. Made in China and of plastic, this toy is not old, but it has a vintage look to it. I adore it! I have two more wind-up toys, a hopping lavender plush bunny and a spinning seal pup, and that is the extent of my collection (which is fine with me). ;-)

Do you have any toys or toy collections? Tell me--I'd love to hear about them! Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Cute Things #2

I am heartbroken. I was acting as a surrogate mother to Elliot, a precious tabby cat, for the last six or seven weeks. Today he got on a plane to go live with his real mom again in Colorado. I only had a couple of days' notice. I've been crying off and on for the last three days.

Innocent one

You see, his mom left him with her ex-boyfriend a couple of months ago, and Elliot adopted me. He showed up at my back door howling pitifully. Soon he was sleeping on my sofa with his head resting on my lap. He came every morning at 6 or 7 am. He was always on my back step, waiting for me. He stayed all day every day until my husband put him outside for the night.

Sending me a kitty kiss

We both fell for him. He had food, water, and shelter at the other house, but at our house he had attention and love. When his mom was ready to be responsible for him again, she sent for him. That was it. Now he's gone. Will he be happy there? Will I ever get over him?

Cat and mouse

Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer

Cute Things #1

I'm starting a new series here at Plushpussycat. You saw the title: it's called Cute Things. Each time I write a Cute Things post, I'll feature something cute that I own, or that someone made, or that I saw somewhere. You get the idea! It may be a miniature, a plushy, something vintage, or whatever.

For my first post today, I want to share this cute thing I found at a thrift store. I paid at most 25 cents for it. And it's super-cute! :-) It's a 78 rpm phonograph record from 1948, designed for a child. It measures 6 3/4 inches (17 cm) across. On one side of the record is the song "Three Little Kittens":

The second side has the song "Wash Your Hands, Brush Your Teeth":

I adore the vintage-style illustrations and the cute critters! I wish I could listen to it, but I don't have the kind of equipment needed. By the way, the blue gingham fabric in the background of these photos came from The Knittn' Kitten: Portland's Vintage Fabric and Craft Store. I find all kinds of vintage fabrics, ribbons, buttons, beads, and more there. They also have an online shop on Etsy.

So what do you think? Is the record cute? If so, what do you like about it? Did you ever have one (or something like it)? Does it remind you of anything? I want to know! :-) Until next time.... xoxo Jennifer