Posted: January 13, 2010, 3 a.m. EST
This Little Leopard costume, by iLoveToCreate, is one way to celebrate National Dress Up Your Pet Day with your cat. Photo courtesy Craftplace.org |
The Craft & Hobby Association has developed handmade pet couture and accessory ideas to help pet owners celebrate National Dress Up Your Pet Day on Jan. 15. Pet owners are invited to enter their handmade designs in the CHA Pet Costume Contest.
Thirty-nine percent of U.S. households participate in crafting, including pet costuming and accessorizing, according to the association. In recognition of the National Dress Up Your Pet Day, CHA member iLoveToCreate, a Fresno, Calif.-based manufacturer and distributor of arts and crafts, has created costume ideas for cats, dogs and rabbits as well nontraditional pets, such as pigs, ostriches and llamas.
Step-by-step instructions for iLoveToCreate’s designs, such as a leopard jacket for cats and a bomber jacket for dogs, are available on CHA’s website. The company has also created a pet fashion show video featuring its designs.
For those still in need of inspiration, CHA offers up the following ideas:
- Dress yourself and your pet exactly alike.
- Recycle items that are already in the closet, sewing basket or crafts drawer.
- Embellish cat beds, place mats, bowls, leashes and collars.
- Personalize pet photo frames to show off their fashions.
Pet enthusiasts are encouraged to electronically submit photos and instructions of their handmade pet costumes. The CHA Pet Costume Contest ends Jan. 31. The winner, to be announced in February, will receive a gift basket filled with craft supplies.