Author: Rope Source

Creating the purrfect environment for your new feline friend is essential for ensuring that you have a long, happy life together. But if you’re a complete beginner, what’s the best way to start getting your home cat ready? Even though cats are now well-known for being domesticated animals, their wild tendencies still remain. By going back to their roots, it becomes much easier to figure out the type of environment your cat would best thrive in, being one that enables them to carry out their natural behaviour. Luckily, your home’s trash can become your cat’s treasure, so be prepared to get involved with a spot of DIY. Let’s start making your home pawsitively cat friendly…  

DIY scratching post

One thing’s for sure, cats love to have a good scratch. There’s just no preventing it, and you’ll definitely start to notice your furniture suffering if you don’t provide them with something to get their claws into. A scratching post is ideal for this, allowing your cat to mark their territory whilst keeping claws at a healthy length – even better, it’s super easy to craft one yourself! 

To get started, all you’ll need is any rope or twine that has a good texture to it, the materials to create a post and base, and something to secure everything together. To create the base, you could use well-sanded plywood, or an old PVC pipe to experiment with the shape. Grab your rope or twine, and begin wrapping it around the post, using super glue to secure everything in place. For the base, wrap it in felt or any other soft material that’ll be comfortable for your cat to hop down onto, and you could even decorate the edges with faux fur for something extra. Finally, attach the two parts together using some screws, and that’s it! 

DIY cat wand

Take a leaf out of Irresistible Pets’ book and craft your very own cat wand, perfect for preventing boredom. As mentioned previously, wild cats were used to being constantly stimulated by their natural environment, whether this be catching prey or fleeting from a predator – to put it simply, they’re not cut out to live a dull life. With this in mind, put your bits and bobs drawer to good use and fill up your cat’s toy box, so that you can start to make your home cat friendly. 

To make a cat wand, arm yourself with baker’s twine, a wooden dowel, jingle bells (this is a great way to make use of any Lindt bunny neckties you’ve been saving), fabric scraps such as ribbons or shoelaces, and fabric glue. 

Start by wrapping the baker’s twine around the wooden dowel, leaving some excess string of up to about 12 inches so that you can attach your fabric scraps. Secure everything in place with some fabric glue and tie your scraps to the end of the twine, weaving some jingle bells in there too. And that’s all there is to it! A brand new toy for your cat, without the cost. 

Pet-proofing your home

Before letting your new cat loose around your home, a pet-proofing exercise is definitely in order. You may need to get at a lower level for this, so that you can really start to see things through a cat’s eyes. Are there any dangerous household appliances around, such as hot or sharp objects, or a wire that could be chewed through? Could anything be knocked off a table or shelf? Kittens especially are curious little creatures, so it’s important to prepare for the worst case scenario. You may choose to section off some rooms that your cat isn’t allowed into, so be sure to remain strict with this and stick to a consistent routine. 

A hiding place for your cat

Although we’ve mentioned that it’s important to make the safest environment possible for your feline friend, it’s inevitable that certain cleaning appliances or guests coming round to visit may evoke anxiousness. For times when your home is busier or louder than usual, make sure that your cat has a variety of safe spaces to hide in. This could be an empty cardboard box on its side with a comfy blanket inside to snuggle into, or an outdoor cat house. Cats also love to hide up high in order to clearly evaluate their surroundings, so make sure that these types of spots can be reached without injury. Use shelves, cushions or other small furniture items to create safe, cat-friendly steps. 

Puzzle feeder

Cats in the wild would have to work for their food, so make dinner time a little more entertaining with a puzzle feeder (a more cost-effective option!) For this, you’ll need an empty tub of your choice, a knife, string, a paper straw, a screwdriver, and some cat treats, of course! Start by creating two small holes in the tub with your screwdriver at opposite sides, sliding a straw through both ends to begin creating your handle. Thread the string through, tie it up at the top, and snip off the excess. Finally, create holes in the bottom using a knife that are a little bigger than your cat’s treats, being sure to trim off any sharp bits of plastic. Now you’re ready to put in the treats, suspend within reach, and introduce to your cat! 

Now that your home is cat friendly, what other DIY projects could you get involved in? For more crafty ideas, and to learn more about the extensive range of ropes and twines we have on offer, get in touch with our friendly team of professionals today!

What are the benefits of dividing household chores? 

We understand that finding the time to clean can be tough, especially when you’re trying to juggle work, family life, and not to mention setting aside some alone time. Feeling as though it’s your responsibility to keep your home in tip-top shape is incredibly daunting, and can lead to burnout if you’re not careful. This guide to dividing household chores is all about gaining mutual levels of understanding and respect, so that you can have some much needed time to relax without fear that the laundry hasn’t been done. A clean home leads to a clean mind after all, so we’re here to help you get there, minus the stress. 

Communicate!

Communication really is key, especially when it comes to dividing household chores. If you’re feeling as though everything is piling up on you, communicate this with your partner, other members of your family, or flat mates. Whatever your situation, never be afraid to ask for help, and allow those around you to recognise that the stress is starting to take its toll. By talking things through calmly, the anger felt towards those that are not pulling their weight will begin to subside, allowing you to relax in your own home. Who knows, they might not even realise that they’re doing anything wrong without you communicating your concerns to them. 

Cleaning schedule

The first step to getting your home looking shipshape is to devise a cleaning schedule that clearly indicates which chores need to be done on which days, and whose job it is to complete the task. This way, each member of your household will be able to see what their responsibilities are, and you’ll be able to stay on top of important dates (such as bin collection days) that may be forgotten. You should also make sure that household chores are split evenly, keeping track of who may have done more, or less, than everyone else. 

Chore rotation

A cleaning schedule is a great way to make sure that house chore responsibilities are rotated regularly, so that someone isn’t constantly taking the bins out. By switching things up every now and then, chores are less likely to be seen as a tedious, repetitive task. Just devise a system that works well for you and your household, and remember to keep some chill time free amidst the cleaning! 

Chores for kids

It is actually possible to make household chores fun – believe it or not – and cleaning could start to become a family bonding activity. By teaching the kids from a young age about the importance of taking responsibility, you’ll be much less likely to experience any future conflict. Get creative and craft your own chore chart to document progress (more on this shortly), making the connection between taking responsibility and receiving rewards. This will make it much easier to get into a regular routine. 

You could even get the kids involved with some DIY, helping them to craft their own laundry basket. We were inspired by Spruce Crafts’ easy method, simply requiring a large plastic container, a length of rope (the larger the container, the thicker the rope), embroidery thread, scissors and a hot glue gun – make sure that this bit is done by an adult. Begin at the bottom of the container, swirling the rope and sticking it down accordingly until it reaches the outer brim, using the excess to create the handles. Sew the pieces of rope together using embroidery thread, experimenting with colours to make your basket as decorative as you like. Et voilà! Who said cleaning and craft can’t go hand-in-hand? 

DIY chore chart

It’s time to get creative once more by making a chore chart, allowing you to easily keep track of what needs to be done around the house. Taking inspiration from Eclectic Recipes’ method, all you’ll need is card (in the colour of your choice), sticky letters (or you could nominate yourself as the scribe if you prefer), a length of rope, cord or twine to create the handle, and a few clothes pegs with each chore written on them. Divide your chore chart into two sections, so that you can clearly distinguish what has, or hasn’t been completed, moving the pegs accordingly. 

For more advice with any DIY projects you’re keen to get your teeth stuck into, our team of friendly professionals are on hand to help. We have everything you’ll need to get the job done, regardless of the field. To find out more about the stock we have on offer, get in touch with us today! 

The rain is pouring outside, and you’re stuck at home with nothing to do. It’s times like these where thoughts of adopting a new hobby seem particularly appealing, but where to begin? Thankfully, you need not look much further than your bits ‘n bobs drawer, crammed full of crafting pieces that can be used to create something brilliant. To get you started, we’ve compiled a (beginner friendly) list of four new hobbies for you to do at home this year. Wave goodbye to the indoor blues!

Homemade interior design

There’s no better feeling than transforming a house into a home, and what better way to inject some life into your space than taking up a new hobby by designing your own interior? If you’ve already had a read of our previous blog post on the best rope decor ideas to renovate any home, you’ll know that it’s not actually as difficult as you may think. Anyone can purchase furniture items from their local shop, but there’s something about doing it yourself that makes the whole experience a bit more fun. Perhaps you could use twisted jute rope to craft your very own rustic rope vase, full of your favourite florals, or get to work with some cotton rope and create some coasters, photo frames and mason jar lids. 

You need not stop here either. Taking up interior design as a new hobby is a fun way to bring something extra to your space, proving your creative crafting abilities to your family and friends. Using decking for your garden makes for a much more pleasant experience when the neighbors come round for a glass of wine, creating plant displays or garden bridges with manila decking ropes and polyhemp/ hempex ropes.

Passion for plants

Discovering a passion for plants is another productive hobby, used to add an extra pop of colour and much needed freshness to your home. With benefits a plenty, they’ve also been scientifically proven to boost health and mental wellbeing, so if there’s ever a time to begin growing your very own jungle, it’s now. Species such as spider plants, string of hearts and pothos have tumbling leaves that look stunning when cascading from the ceiling, so craft yourself some hanging planters using macrame twine to complete the biophilia aesthetic. This rope has a great deal of other uses too, so take a peek at our blog post on the best macrame cord craft ideas for some more inspiration. 

Making your own clothes

Learning to sew is another hobby you could take up at home this year to not only save money, but to put your new found crafting skills to the test. It doesn’t take a fashion designer to use a sewing machine, so start off slow and take a look at some YouTube tutorials to get yourself started. Once you’ve equipped yourself with needle and thread, select some scrap pieces of fabric or choose an item of clothing you’d like to upcycle. Use decorative braids for added creativity, or have a go at visible stitching to create some fun patches for a totally different look.  

Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is another effective way to reduce anxiety and stress, instead pouring your emotions out onto a piece of paper and documenting your most fond memories. Perhaps you saw the first signs of autumn when out on a walk and enjoyed the sound of leaves crunching under your feet, or maybe you went to the beach and found an unusual shell. Whatever the occasion, there will be either a material or an item that can be stuck into your scrapbook – there are no rules to this hobby, so experiment as much as you can with different colours and textures. Another technique that can be used when scrapbooking is string pull painting; simply snip a piece of yarn or twine to roughly 18 inches, dip into acrylic paint and coat fully (except the tip), lay on a piece of paper as you wish, sandwich a piece of scrap paper on top and lift up the string. And with that, you’ve just created your own unique artwork!

If you’ve finished reading this blog feeling inspired to start some new hobbies, take a look at our vast collection of crafting ropes. If there’s a particular DIY project you’re looking to start and you need some advice on the best rope to use, have a chat with our team of friendly professionals today. 

How can you take the stress out of moving house? Unfortunately, that may be mission impossible! Whilst we can’t wave a magic wand and make everything plain sailing, we can certainly help make it less chaotic, at least once you’ve got the keys to your new home. So settle in and take note with these new homeowner tips to help make for a smoother transition.

1. Get your home security in order

Make sure all the windows are in good condition and are able to be fully closed and locked properly. You may have missed things on previous visits, so check entryways for any signs of damage, wear and tear, and faults. If there are any, fixing these should take priority. And before you get carried away with redecorating and kitting out your new home with the latest technology and brand-spanking-new appliances, consider a high-quality security system first. With smart security systems out there, you can order one and set it up in no time with no need for wires – jst a Wi-Fi connection is all you need.

2. Know your neighbours

You probably already know a little about your neighbourhood because that’s one of the factors you should consider when buying a new home. But at the moment you’ll only have the estate agent’s word, or maybe you did some research. Now that you’ve bagged the house though, it’s time to really get to know your neighbours. They could help with your transition or give you valuable tips and insight about the property or area. It does no harm in trying to make friends with neighbours so you can all share important information, especially when it comes to neighbourhood watch schemes. 

3. Reduce, reuse, recycle

We’ve all heard of this mantra, and it’s especially useful when transitioning to a new home. All those boxes and any packaging can come in handy or be recycled. Upcycling also comes into this, especially if you have a family. Kids love being creative, so get them involved in transforming any old items or boxes into new toys, ornaments or storage units, using natural ropes or twines etc. Make sure you know about your local waste management too, and have the calendar sorted, knowing which days your bins will be emptied so you’re on top of your waste from the get-go. 

4. Notify relevant organisations of change of address

Don’t forget the big task of informing the relevant organisations of your move. In fact, not just organisations, but acquaintances and extended family members you may have forgotten about too. Make a list and check it off. Inform all the utility companies as well as the electoral register, DVLA, and your bank. Don’t forget about any pension or finance accounts. Then work your way through all your shop accounts, updating the billing and delivery address. Once you’ve ticked them all off, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

5. Make a house a home

Then there’s the final exciting part of making the house your own. This can seem daunting at first, but as long as you have a thorough plan to follow, things can go more smoothly. Work from room to room, and start with Pinterest to gather inspiration and ideas. For instance, there are fantastic rope decor ideas to renovate any home out there for you to discover. You may even pick up themes to work into your renovation and decor, like nautical which works brilliantly for bathrooms or gardens. With some decking ropes, a patio, lights, and outdoor furniture, you can create a calm, quirky outdoor area – check out these decking for your garden ideas. Or you may like rustic design ideas for your home – there’s lots of inspiration out there whatever your style! 

And for all your crafting needs or help with decor, browse Rope Source right here. Contact us today for any requests or help.

Whether you’ve just moved into a new home that already has a rustic feel, or you’ve been obsessed with Pinterest boards lately, we’ve got five simple but beautiful rustic design ideas for a bit of DIY inspo. 

1. Driftwood mirror and shelf

We love this old-fashioned looking mirror frame and shelf. Just looking at it transports you back in time. Not many of us would think to incorporate a shelf into a mirror, but look how beautiful it can look with a variety of ornaments, candles and keepsakes. You can get this driftwood mirror ready made, or DIY it with some rustic, old beams of wood. Sand them down and give them a new lease of life, but not too much if you’re going for that rustic feel! 

Jute crafts

There’s so much you can do with twisted jute rope or jute craft twine that makes them a perfect resource for rustic-themed home decor. Here are some worthy ideas inspired by Felt Magnet:

2. Jute-wrapped handles

Simply start by tying an over-under knot to secure the end and tuck the tail back. Wrap the jute rope or twine around the handle and the tail. Trim the tail, if necessary, and continue wrapping to the end, tucking the remaining tail under the loops. Secure with a dab of clear drying glue.

3. Jute mug rugs

This one involves a little creative crochet, but don’t worry, there’s a handy YouTube video showing you exactly what to do. This jute twine material is actually brilliant for hot mugs and dishes because they’re larger and thicker than coasters, so they give great heat protection to surfaces, and they look beautifully rustic! 

4. Jute-wrapped bottles and desk containers

A popular trend in rustic home decor circles is wrapping bottles and containers in jute twine; recycling and upcycling in one! Just loop and tie a knot at the base or glue down and wrap to the top of the neck, glueing down the end twine. Use jute-wrapped bottles as ornaments or vases for beautiful flowers, and jute-wrapped tins/containers for tidying up the desk. Go colourful to suit your home’s colour palette with coloured jute craft twine.

5. Expose the stone

Nothing says rustic like exposed stone. Take a look at this quaint stone fireplace feature. If you’ve moved into a house with exposed stone, why not embrace it before thinking of a complete change, as it can be easily incorporated into a rustic theme. Blend it in with neutral tones, antiques and vintage pieces. 

Stone fireplace inspiration

For even more inspiration, check out this rustic home decor Pinterest board filled with tons of ideas. And check out our natural ropes and twines right here for your rustic renovation.