Ok, so if you did not have as many of the parts on hand as I did it would cost more, but I bet I got your attention!
Many years ago we had several female guinea pigs and I built them a deluxe MASSIVE c&c cage. I sewed a bunch of fleece and the result was a guinea pig palace that my husband said the homeless people around would love to have. So, this year when my son and I got some boars my husband was not keen on me resurrecting the monstrosity that we had prior. While the boars were babies the store bought cage that we had as a temporary solution was not perfect but not terrible and did not require babyproofing. But as the boys grew, I knew they needed more -- especially since the one ran laps around the cage trying to get exercise when he was not out. Now, the catch was to find a compromise that would not make my husband cringe.
He also did not want me spending much money right now. So, I started to look around the house to find a solution that would work and cost very little. I already owned cubes from before but the coroplast was gone and that was the sticking point. I read about people successfully using shower curtains. My issue was that I did not want to put it on the floor. So I was left with the challenge of finding a supportive bottom to get it off the floor and use a shower curtain. I walked my house several times in search of the solution. Then, I saw it. My boys' train table! My son and I painted over the train motif.
Next task, the old fleece and uhaul blankets were gone. Uhaul blankets were not part of my husband's expenditures right now. So, we went to a local uhaul and explained what we were doing and how it just did not make sense to buy brand new ones for guinea pigs to pee on. I was hoping to find torn or stained ones that we could use. The really nice man said he had just thrown the ones they had out last week. I asked him if he knew any other stores that might still have some (fully expecting him to say no). He picked up the phone and started calling the local stores for me. He found one 7 miles away that said they had one or two they could give me. We hopped into the car and drove there asap. When I got there, not sure what to expect, we were handed a bag with 5 blankets in it that I am not sure what is wrong with them. I see no stains or tears. I found one was a bit stretched in a spot but that was it.
After putting the blankets in the car we headed to Joann Fabrics hoping to find a great sale. Again we were blessed. Fleece was 60% off. There were remnants large enough for us. Those were an additional 50% off. And then I could apply my educator discount. We walked out with enough fleece for two bottoms, and a couple pieces to make toys/accessories (like their fleece forest) for less than $6. We picked up a shower curtain for $2 and then a dustpan and hand broom for my son to use for $1.50.
So, using a little ingenuity/re-purposing and a lot of prayer we were able to give our boys a much needed Christmas present that is a compromise that my husband can deal with. Now, we have to work on toys and fun things that we used to have but the boys are in love with it for now! (Don't worry they can't reach the Christmas tree it is just the angle of the shot!)
Many years ago we had several female guinea pigs and I built them a deluxe MASSIVE c&c cage. I sewed a bunch of fleece and the result was a guinea pig palace that my husband said the homeless people around would love to have. So, this year when my son and I got some boars my husband was not keen on me resurrecting the monstrosity that we had prior. While the boars were babies the store bought cage that we had as a temporary solution was not perfect but not terrible and did not require babyproofing. But as the boys grew, I knew they needed more -- especially since the one ran laps around the cage trying to get exercise when he was not out. Now, the catch was to find a compromise that would not make my husband cringe.
He also did not want me spending much money right now. So, I started to look around the house to find a solution that would work and cost very little. I already owned cubes from before but the coroplast was gone and that was the sticking point. I read about people successfully using shower curtains. My issue was that I did not want to put it on the floor. So I was left with the challenge of finding a supportive bottom to get it off the floor and use a shower curtain. I walked my house several times in search of the solution. Then, I saw it. My boys' train table! My son and I painted over the train motif.
Next task, the old fleece and uhaul blankets were gone. Uhaul blankets were not part of my husband's expenditures right now. So, we went to a local uhaul and explained what we were doing and how it just did not make sense to buy brand new ones for guinea pigs to pee on. I was hoping to find torn or stained ones that we could use. The really nice man said he had just thrown the ones they had out last week. I asked him if he knew any other stores that might still have some (fully expecting him to say no). He picked up the phone and started calling the local stores for me. He found one 7 miles away that said they had one or two they could give me. We hopped into the car and drove there asap. When I got there, not sure what to expect, we were handed a bag with 5 blankets in it that I am not sure what is wrong with them. I see no stains or tears. I found one was a bit stretched in a spot but that was it.
After putting the blankets in the car we headed to Joann Fabrics hoping to find a great sale. Again we were blessed. Fleece was 60% off. There were remnants large enough for us. Those were an additional 50% off. And then I could apply my educator discount. We walked out with enough fleece for two bottoms, and a couple pieces to make toys/accessories (like their fleece forest) for less than $6. We picked up a shower curtain for $2 and then a dustpan and hand broom for my son to use for $1.50.
So, using a little ingenuity/re-purposing and a lot of prayer we were able to give our boys a much needed Christmas present that is a compromise that my husband can deal with. Now, we have to work on toys and fun things that we used to have but the boys are in love with it for now! (Don't worry they can't reach the Christmas tree it is just the angle of the shot!)