We’re doing a little research on scratching and we need your help. We want to see photos of where your cat scratches — the good, the bad, and the ugly. We’re not looking for pretty magazine photos. We want to see where they scratch, what they scratch on (different materials like sisal, carpet, cardboard, wood, etc.), how tall or long the scratching surface is, is it a vertical or horizontal surface, and anything else you think is important.

Just snap a shot of where kitty scratches and email it to me at kate [at] moderncat [dot] net along with any thoughts you have about ideal scratching surfaces. As a thank you, everyone who sends in a photo will be entered into a drawing to win a brand new special secret scratching prize that will be revealed next month.

This month on Paw Nation, I’ve rounded-up some of my favorite scratchers, in all shapes, sizes, and prices. Check out the post here.

Congratulations to Tammy (comment #226), winner of the Octopussy giveaway from Cattitude Creations! I’m sure Tammy’s three cats will get hours of enjoyment from this little critter!

Just added to the Moderncat Studio Etsy shop, modern cat silhouette garlands! These decorative cut paper garlands will add the perfect touch of cat style to any room. They come in two sizes, large for $10, measuring six feet long, and mini for $6, measuring 18 inches. Hang one by your computer to brighten up your day! Available in a variety of luscious paper colors, including shimmery and sparkly finishes.

BONUS GIVEAWAY! WINNER’S CHOICE!

One lucky winner will receive a set of Moderncat paper garlands, one large and one small, in the color of their choice! Please leave a comment on this post to enter. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing on March 18. One entry per person. This giveaway is open to readers everywhere!

If you’ve been waiting to get one of the ultra cool Hollywood Franklin Tower Cat Trees, here’s a little extra incentive. Now through April 1, 2010, the tower is 15% off! This discount is for the brown stain with cayenne carpet only, which is the best selling color combo.

Download the price list here.

A new set of stamps from Poland celebrates several beautiful cat breeds including one of my favorites, the Maine Coon. These stamps were designed by Andrzej Gosik. Available from the Polish postal service website.

via kociarstwo.pl

Here’s an interesting concept from designer Geoffrey Cooper. It’s the Cat Dome, a habitat for your kitty and your fish to hang out together. Yes, cats do enjoy watching fish move around in a tank, so the interactive element is an original concept, but, I’m wondering, would this make the poor fish live in a constant state of panic? Maybe certain types of fish wouldn’t mind — I’m not a fish expert — but it seems a little cruel. What do you think?

Thanks to Goma’s mom Sachie for the find.

We have a new installment in our pet photography interview series, this time with Ingrid Nevinger of 9 Lives Photography. Ingrid specializes in cat photography, plus she volunteers her time with several cat charity organizations, helping to photograph adoptable cats, definitley putting the cats in their best light. She also put together a Blurb book, Faces of Felines Inc., with a sampling of the photos taken at this Chicago no-kill shelter.

You have to check out Ingrid’s blog Cat Nipped, where she posts portraits of people with their cats along with a little interview about the image and the cat-human relationship.

Ingrid also plays in a string ensemble, Elle Musique, that donates their musical services to Chicago-area animal shelters.

How long have you been photographing pets and how did you get started?
I’ve been photographing animals, especially cats, since I received my first point-and-shoot camera as a child. During high school and early college, I studied darkroom photography and often used my cats as models. After taking a long hiatus from photography, I picked up my first digital camera only a few years ago. Virtually every week for the last year, I’ve visited Felines Inc., a no-kill Chicago cat shelter, to photograph its many residents. Felines Inc. is such a wonderful environment. Since it is cageless the cats know each other and are completely at ease. I capture them engaged in their normal activities of playing, grooming, napping, etc. I then sell their portraits and donate the proceeds back to Felines Inc. Recently, I’ve also started photographing cats from Animal Care League in Oak Park, IL and Cats-Are-Purrsons-Too.

What kind of pet photography do you do? Do you have a specialty?
Feline, definitely feline (hey, I’m a “cat person!”) Although I enjoy photographing humans, dogs and assorted other subjects, my real passion is capturing the character, spirit and extraordinary beauty of cats.

Do you do anything special to prepare for a photo shoot with a cat?
Since every cat possesses a district personality, I first spend time sans camera “making friends” (talking, petting, playing). I wish to gain my subject’s trust, and to make him feel comfortable in my presence. Upon introducing my camera, I always let him check it out. I’ve know many a cat who’s loved to headbutt the lens and chew the strap! To engage a cat’s curiosity and appetite, I frequently bring a variety of toys and treats. I also wear clothes I don’t mind getting dirty, as I follow my subjects everywhere and often end up crawling on the floor or ground.

What was the most challenging cat photo shoot you have done? Any funny stories?
A friend of mine has a lovely white cat named Marshmallow. I wanted to photograph them together for my blog, Cat Nipped. My friend warned me that Marshmallow didn’t take well to strangers, but I insisted that we would hit it off. After all, I had Da Bird (a great toy which no cat had ever resisted). Well, after hour upon hour of trying to lure him out (including “ignoring” him) I had to confess that I had met my match. One day, over the course of many, many visits, I will get that shot!

Do you have any tips for readers about how to take great photos of their cats?

• Cats can be unpredictable, so have your camera ready and seize the moment.
• Photograph in natural light if possible, as flash can frighten cats and cause red eye.
• If you have the option to shoot in aperture priority or manual mode, use the widest f-stop setting on your camera (this allows more light to hit the sensor).
• Capture your cat from every possible angle.
• Focus on just one body part ~ a fluffy tail, single eye or outstretched paw.
• Avoid cluttered backgrounds.
• Focus on expression, not technical perfection.
• Take lots of pictures (you will never regret having too many, only too few).

What kitty could resist the dangly legs of a catnip stuffed Octopussy from Etsy seller Cattitude Creations? These sweet little critters are hand knit with 100% wool yarn and felted for extra durability. And this is your chance to win one! To enter, please leave a comment on this post. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing on March 12. One entry per person. This giveaway is open to readers everywhere!

Congrats to Derrick (comment #382), winner of the Canadian Cardboard Chalet for cats from Loyal Luxe and the Montreal Designers Online Store! We hope your kitties enjoy this little bit of northern charm!

These incredible pieces of functional art are called Katzenhoehle, or cat caves. Each is handmade of felted wool by German artist Dornroeschen Filzunikate. There are several styles and sizes to choose from and the caves are apparently washable. They look so delicate, but very cozy, too.

Available via what appears to be the German version of Etsy, DaWanda.

via OhMyCat

Adrienne (comment #261) and Heather (comment #311) get ready to get organized! You two are the lucky winners for the pet organizers from Knock Knock. Keep an eye out for an email with details on how to collect your prize. Happy organizing!

These two moderncats were spotted on Apartment Therapy recently in Alison & Jeff’s Happening Home. This Minneapolis rental has loads of mid-century modern charm, and the tuxedo sure looks good with the checkerboard floor!

Thanks to Claire for the sighting.

Hilary from Vancouver created this pair of window perches for her two boys Hank (orange) and Truman (Tuxedo) and they seem to be a perfect fit! She used the trusty old IKEA Ekby Bjarnum brackets and Jarpen shelves mounted just below the window sill. To create cozy cushions that don’t slide off the shelves, Hilary smartly stitched some twill tape to the corners of two faux sheepskin cat beds and tied the beds to the shelves. Nice solution! And they can be easily removed for cleaning.

The lucky winner of the February monthly giveaway and the gorgeous designer scratching post from DKcat is James from San Diego! James chose the blonde and tan color combo. Enjoy!

For this month’s giveaway, we’ve got one of the hottest new products from one of the coolest companies. The folks at Sleepypod are offering their brand new Crater Dot pet bed for the March monthly giveaway! This is one of the sleekest and most modern looking beds on the market. They sent me one to test out and my cats are glued to it! It is really a cat magnet, especially when you insert the plug-in warmer. Toasty! Here’s a little video of my new kitten McKinley trying to steal the Crater Dot from his big brother Ando (if you can’t see the video below in your email, click here to watch it on the site):

EXTRA CHANCE TO WIN!

To enter the monthly giveaway, make sure you’re signed-up to receive Moderncat updates via email. If you’re already getting the updates but you’d like an EXTRA chance to win this month, please leave a comment on this post. Complete details on the monthly giveaway here. The drawing will take place on March 31. The winner will get to choose one of five different colors for their Crater Dot: Blossom Pink, Mossy Green, Lunar Gray, Orange Dream, or Lavender Field. This giveaway is open to readers everywhere!

The winner of the IDtag.com giveaway is Evan (comment #2). Evan will get to choose one of the stylish ID tags and he will receive a lifetime subscription to the IDtag.com service. Congrats, Evan!

Congratulations to Jessica (comment #247), winner of the World’s Best Cat Litter Twitter giveaway! Jessica gets a 1-year supply of World’s Best Cat Litter™ as a thank you for following them on Twitter. Thanks to everyone for following!

A little while back I posted the Loyal Luxe Chalet for Cats, designed and made in Canada. In honor of the closing ceremonies for the winter Olympics this weekend, the folks at Montreal Designers are offering a chalet for a bonus giveaway!

To enter, please leave a comment on this post. One entry per person. The winner will be chosen in a random drawing on March 4. In the international spirit of the Olympics, this giveaway is open to readers everywhere!

My friend Heidi recently gave me one of these sweet little kitty key rings from German contemporary gadget design company, Troika. It has a sleek modern form, with an aluminum body and a durable wire loop to hold your keys. The perfect little gift for any moderncat lover.

Available for $19 US from Amazon in blackand gold.

Thanks, Heidi!

Jessie had some old weathered wood and an idea to make a rustic looking coffee table. Little did she know that it would be the perfect lounging area for her cats. The little patch of grass and the catnip garden are a perfect touch. (Don’t worry, she sealed the wood so the paint chips won’t flake off.)

Here’s a link to Jessie’s original post.

How well kept are your veterinary records? How about emergency contact information? Notes for the pet sitter? Well, if you need to put all these things together in one place, then you need one of these stylish pet organizers from the creative company Knock Knock. This attractive hardcover 3-ring binder comes complete with all the organizing tools you’ll need. It contains pre-printed pages for recording contact info, vital statistics, and vet visits, as well as a place to store business cards and a page of pet rescue stickers for your windows. There are nine divided sections with storage pockets and tabs for storing any other information you need to have handy, plus a note pad and pen for leaving instructions for the sitter, groomer, or your boarding facility. All together in one smart little package. This would make a great gift for any pet owner.

Available from Knock Knock for $26 US and also from Amazon.

BONUS GIVEAWAY! TWO WINNERS!

Enter to win one of these snazzy pet organizers by leaving a comment on this post. Two winners will be selected in a random drawing on March 2. One entry per person. This giveaway is open to addresses in the US and Canada.

Probably every household with a cat has had a basic rectangular cardboard scratcher at one time. I’m always on the lookout for creative ways to disguise this somewhat uninteresting, but necessary, cat accessory. The Cat’s Boat from Japan caught my eye, with its sleek lines and natural wood. This wooden frame holds the cardboard insert while creating a small raised bed for a cat to lounge in. The frame also has non-skid feet to keep the scratcher in place.

Available from a number of Japanese websites (Rakuten, Fusion8186, gmo-toku.jp & real-style.jp) for 9,800¥, or about $107 US.

Check out these photos from Sei Katsu-sha of a very handsome fellow trying out his new boat:

via OhMyCat

This wonderful photo was taken in August 1950 by LIFE Magazine staff photographer Peter Stackpole. It’s part of the LIFE Magazine photo archive hosed on Google. You can purchase a framed print for $89.99.

via ffffound | Thanks to Yuri for the ffffind.

Some of you already know about my other little venture, Moderncat Studio. This is a place where I get to put my passions for crafting and cats to good use by creating fun stuff for cats who appreciate good design. Through the studio, I bring together different designers who believe that well-designed cat products can make living with cats a stylish and positive experience. We create products that are beautiful and functional — appreciated by cats and the people who love them. Our handcrafted, high-quality cat products, made using environmentally friendly and cat-safe materials and finishes, offer an alternative to low-quality, mass-produced items.

The actual studio is located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona and is open for special events and on the first Friday of each month for the First Friday artwalk.

I’m pleased to announce that the Moderncat Studio Esty Shop is now open for those of you who can’t make it to Phoenix. The shop features goodies for you and your cat, with new items being added all the time. You can also stay up-to-date on the latest studio news by signing up to receive Moderncat Studio email updates or by becoming a fan on Facebook.

Here are a few of the items currently available in our Etsy shop:

Collin’s Critters

These little critters will keep kitty company while you’re away. Each toy is handcrafted with care and stuffed with only the best organic catnip. Collin’s Critters are made with Eco-fi felt from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic water bottles. Designed by Collin Smith.

$7 each or $18 for a set of three.

Natural Texture Toys

Cats love to chew on course, natural textures and these two little toys are the perfect combination of texture and fun.

Sally Sisal Mouse

Sally Sisal Mouse is a toy for eco-conscious cats. This little mouse is made of 100% natural sisal rope, a texture that’s meant for chewing and rubbing! And Sally is just the right size and weight for tossing about. Kitty can grab Sally’s ear or tail and send her flying across the room, only to pounce on her moments later. Sally Sisal Mouse’s body measures about 3.5 inches long. Each one is a little different, since they are handmade.

Jute Bombs

Our Jute Bombs will have kitty leaping and pouncing all over the place! Each natural jute sphere has a rocket tail to help it sail through the air. The kitty-sized spheres are the perfect size for tossing and carrying around plus kitty will love rubbing her gums on the course jute rope. I guarantee this toy will be in a different place when you wake up in the morning! Each sphere is approximately 1 inch in diameter and the rocket tails measure about 1.5 inches.

Sally Sisal Mouse is $5 and the Jute Bombs are $3 each.

Flying Saucers

Flying Saucer felt cat toys will have kitty sailing through outer space! These little toys are just the right size and weight for launching into orbit, plus the dangling ribbons make perfect “handles” for grabbing and tossing. And the organic catnip inside is cosmic! Each toy measures about 2.25 inches, plus the length of the little ribbons.

$3 each or $7.50 for a set of three.

Cut Paper Modern Cat Silhouette Greeting Cards

Looking for the perfect card to send to your cat-loving friends? These cut paper greeting cards feature four different raised cat silhouettes. Each card measures 5.5 inches square and comes with a 5.75 inch square envelope. Beautiful quality papers and heavy card stock give these cards a high-quality feel. Cards are blank inside and require extra postage. Designed by Kate Benjamin.

$20 for a set of four cards with envelopes.