Hot and Cold Boo-Boo Kitties

I am pretty accident prone so I was super excited when I found this free pattern and tutorial from: http://downwithclutter.blogspot.com/2009/03/make-your-own-boo-boo-buddy.html
Also seen on http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-a-boo-boo-buddy/2009/12/26/

The only changes I made was enlarging the pattern, the addition of a tail (extended the leg pattern to make the tail pattern), and i filled it with rice.

I also decided to make 2.  One to be microwaved as a heating pad (I embroidered a red heart), and the other to live in the freezer as an cold pack (I embroidered a blue heart). I thought it was important to easily tell the difference (so I don't have to memorize stripe patterns and nose sizes).  If I kept it in the freezer it might gain moisture, then microwaving it, it would probably cook the rice and ruin the cat. 

Materials:
Towel- I definitely recommend a towel with stripes. I went to Wal-mart and I really liked the colors... It is a full sized towel, so I will be able to make more stuff with it.  The pattern recommends one 12 x 12 inch towel for one cat.
Thread- to match the towel, black, red, and blue
Filling- I used uncooked rice, you could also use beans or a few different things (wheat, feed corn, buckwheat hulls, barely, oatmeal, flax seed, cherry pits....)

Step 1: Cut out the pattern

 I used different parts of the stripes to make it funner.

Step 2: Embroider the heart on one side of the leg at this step unless you want it on both sides of the foot.  Sew together the legs, tail, and ears and inside them out.  Then embroider the eyes and nose.  Then pin it to one side of the body, then lay the other side of the body on top and sew around the big ovaly shape leaving a hole to inside it out and add the filling.

Step 3: Inside it out then add your filling.  Using a funnel helps, even if you have to make one out of paper and tape (which is what I did).

Step 4: Close it up

Step 4: Embroider the heart on the foot for whatever use your kitty is for (though I recommend you do this part at step 2)

Then repeat all the steps on a second kitty.

Then you are all done and prepared for all the bumps and pains in life!

Heating Pad Kitty:

Microwave for about a minute (1 minute was a little too long for me personally until I fanned it off a bit), it takes some experimenting to get the right timing and it depends on how big you make yours. Make sure you keep an eye on it and be careful not to burn yourself.

Good for headaches, muscle aches, cold fingers and toes in the winter....

Cold Pack Kitty:

Keep it in your freezer for whenever you need it.  I will keep mine in a plastic bag so it stays away from all of the food and potential smells.

Good for swelling, bruises, very minor burns, stomach aches, summer heat....