Catsparella 2013 Cat Calendar Guide

Another year, another cat calendar! I've already covered The 2013 Cats of Instagram Calendar, Kate Funk's Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar, The 2013 United Bamboo Cat Fashion Calendar, and selections by heavyweights such as I Can Has Cheezburger, The Oatmeal, and Awkward Family Pet Photos, but for your consideration, here are more 13 covet-worthy indie cat calendars, guaranteed to help make 2013 your best year yet!


1. My Zoetrope 2013 Kitty Cats Wall Calendar
It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of My Zoetrope's quirky, colorful designs, and this kitty cat calendar is a pure delight, jam-packed with super adorable feline-themed illustrations. As an added bonus, each page can be trimmed down to a 5 x 7 framable print at the end of the year - so it's like getting 12 pieces of art for one low price!


2. Pudge the Cat 2013 Wall Calendar
Pudge the Cat is an emerging internet sensation: The 2-year-old Exotic Shorthair resides in Minneapolis, MN, where she spends her days updating her various social media accounts (see: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook), and looking cute. Her annual wall calendar is a must have for any super fan, and features a "floating Pudge head" for every season.


3. Zombie Cats 2013 Illustrated Desk Calendar
A frighteningly delightful alternative for those who wouldn't be caught dead with a cutesy cat calendar: "Cat's have 9 lives, but what happens then? Well, obviously, they become beautiful zombie cats. You don't need to feed them, they feast on brains. They still purr, but it sounds more like a mushy gargle. They don't need to nap, they just repeatedly walk into walls and scratch at the door. Pretty cute, huh?" 


4. Cathy Peng Twelve Tuxedo Cats 2013 13 x 19 Print Calendar
Another purrsonal favorite of mine, artist Cathy Peng takes her original kitty drawings and accessorizes them by season, for a beautiful, limited edition print that equals one full year of tuxedo cat bliss.


5. Highly Professional Business Cats 2013 Calendar
Yep, this appeared in last year's guide too, but guess what? Any calendar that features felines wearing neckties and/or understands the importance of "Taco Tuesday Reminders" every week, always get two paws up in my book.


6. Cats I Know 2013 Wall Calendar
Artist Kaori Mitsushima is originally from Tokyo, Japan, but now lives in Ohio with her two cats, Pon Pon and Arais. CATS I KNOW is a collection of her cat drawings, which she sells individually (as prints, postcards, and buttons), and as compiled in this gorgeous calendar, featuring her elegant cat people.


7. Kat Daddy 2013 Men's Pin-up Calendar
Looking to help out a good cause, and indulge in some eye-candy at the same time? Kat Daddy is a collection of handsome hunks in various states of undress posing with their pussies to benefit Recycling Rover Animal Rescue in Morse Hill, MO. All cats featured in the calendar were rescued or have been adopted through The Rainbow Ranch Project, and part of the proceeds will sponsor their Feral on the Farm program.


8. The Dancing Cat 2013 Cat Calendar
Artist Jamie Shelman has made a name for herself through The Dancing Cat, her hilariously offbeat collection of feel-good cat drawings. This limited edition calendar is hand-signed, numbered, and makes every day a celebration of the joy and humor that kitties bring into our lives.


9. Dream Cats 2013 Calendar, Gold
This screen printed Dream Cats kitten print comes from the ladies behind the Tumblr of the same name, known for its ethereal collection of dreamy cat photography. $2 from each calendar sold will be donated to the World Society for the Protection of Animals.  


10. Henri, Le Chat Noir 2013 Calendar
The star of one of the most viral cat videos of the year has his own calendar, reportedly "for cats, created by a cat," and warns fans not to be surprised "if the typical human dates are not indicated in the expected manner." Despite these protestations, the calendar is also said to contain various candid photos of Henri and classic screen captures from his videos, along with l'imbecile blanc "being his usual dense self." 

Much like fellow internet star Lil Bub's 2013 calendar, of which portions of the proceeds are being donated to Pets Alive Spay and Neuter Clinic in Bloomington, IN, 10% of the profits from Henri's calendar will go to local animal welfare organizations.


11. Modern Anthem 2013 Screen-printed Cat Calendar
If you want a hip desk calendar but don't want to go the page-a-day route, this fluorescent orange pop-up is the purrfect solution. The screen printed work of art is printed on #100 cougar natural paper, and includes 12-mini red and white cards to place between those tiny teeth each month.


12. Nice Mice For You 2013 Printable PDF Cat Calendar
Forget waiting times and expensive shipping costs! This mod cat calendar will be emailed to you as a 7-page PDF file within 24 hours of purchase. You can print it out on any standard size paper, but the seller recommends using a thicker card stock. And, since you can print it out as many times as you want for personal use, consider treating a few of your cat-loving friends, too!


13. Noosed Kitty by Jamie Fales 2013 Illustrated Wall Calendar
Artist Jamie Fales teamed up with Philadelphia-based Art Star gallery and boutique to put together this wire-bound calendar featuring some of her most popular kitty illustrations. Jamie's cats might look like a motley crew of underwear-over-the-head wearing outcasts, but deep down they're all just pussycats at heart.

Catsparella 2013 Cat Calendar Guide

United Bamboo 2013 Cat Fashion Calendar Kickstarter Project

United Bamboo 2013 Cat Calendar

"Do you like cats? Do you like fashion? Do you like keeping track of what day it is?" asks the latest Kickstarter video for United Bamboo's 2013 cat fashion calendar. In the second feline fashion-centric Kickstarter in as many months, the innovative brand is heralding the release of their famous feline fashion calendar with the promise of even more kitties in tiny outfits to come.

2013 Calendar (Pledge of $40 or more)

Released to many accolades in 2010 and 2011 before taking a break in 2012, the annual yearbook features cats dressed up in miniature replicas of United Bamboo's signature runway looks. In May of this year, the brand issued an internet-wide casting call for potential kitty models for the 2013 edition, before narrowing the field down to the twelve lucky felines who were chosen to grace its pages.

2013 Poster (Pledge of $10 or more)

Instead of going the traditional pre-order route, UB have turned to Kickstarter to try their paw at launching a spin off brand, called Catclub. In addition to the annual calendar, the feline imprint promises to feature products with pictures of cats wearing United Bamboo, all year long.

Magnet (Pledge of $15 or more)

The brand is attempting to raise $20,000 by Sept. 13 to launch Catclub, and have already enticed 55 cat lovers with a sense of humor to put $1,752 into the kitty since going live last week. To take part in this one-of-a-kind fundraiser, donors are encouraged to give as little as $10 in exchange for a 2013 cat calendar poster, while pledges of $40 and up yield a copy of the calendar itself, framed prints of the feline fashionistas, and more.

16 x 20 Framed Print (Pledge of $250 or more)

Visit the United Bamboo 2013 Cat Calendar Kickstarter Page for more information about the project, and to find out how you can make a contribution towards the future of feline fashion for yourself.

Via Kickstarter

United Bamboo 2013 Cat Fashion Calendar Kickstarter Project

Kitty Channels Classic Monsters In 2013 Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar

Yes, there's a kitty in there!

I love Kate Funk and her super amazing 100% awesome black cat, AC. As someone with a penchant for crafting tiny paper hats for my own kitties, I'm in awe of how she continually creates intricate sets and tiny costumes for AC, to be photographed for his popular cat calendar and line of quirky greeting cards.

It takes Kate several months to create AC's annual calendar, that boasts a creative new theme every year. The 2012 edition was inspired by musical genres, while this year's version is all about classic monsters, like King Kong, Frankenstein, the Abominable Snowman, Swamp Thing, the Wolfman, and more!

AC is the Wolfman Greeting Card

When I interviewed Kate ahead of the release of last year's edition, she revealed that contrary to popular belief, AC really doesn't mind being dressed up. The chill kitty was adopted from a Milwaukee shelter in 2006, and the idea for creating cards using his image started as a joke, when she photographed him for a birthday card of a friend who would often tease the cat for being such a grump. (Click here to read the entire interview).

PRE-ORDER SALE 2013 Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar

The 2013 Monster edition of the Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar is available for pre-order now through Aug. 29th for $12 (the price will increase to $16 once the calendar is officially released in September).

Click here to check out Kate's Etsy shop, along with AC's blog that chronicles his adventures as a kitty model.

Kitty Channels Classic Monsters In 2013 Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar

Cat Christmas Gift Round-Up

I hope everyone has been having a great holiday season so far! Yesterday I took the opportunity to unplug for a bit, and spent the day stuffing my face, playing Wii, and watching movies with my family. My cats already have more amusements than they know what to do with, so their holiday haul consisted of lots of extra attention in the form of hugs, kisses, grooming, playtime, and treats.

Technically, this is a Cat Hanukkah gift round-up for me, but having that as the title of this post didn't sound quite as snappy. I want to know what cool gifts my fellow cats lovers received (or gave to their kitties!), and also share some of the sweet presents I was given, below!

Gift: The Cat's Pajamas: 101 Of The World's Cutest Cats by Rachael Hale

This beautiful coffee table book features gorgeous, full page photographs of 101 cats, along with the history, appearance, and color of each breed. A super cute way to help me on my quest of identifying every kind of cat by appearance, and way more fun than a plain ol' cat encyclopedia!

From: Donka, my friend and former roommate

Gift: Original etching of "Marilyn Monroe" Hemingway Home Cat by Isabel Cohen

While visiting Key West, Florida a few months ago, my friend visited the Hemingway Home & Museum, which is renowned for housing nearly 60 polydactyl (six-toed) cats. This thoughtful souvenir from the historical landmark features a colorful depiction of former feline resident, Marilyn Monroe, who resided at the house from 1986 - 2004. (True to her movie star moniker, she's also famous for making an appearance in the 1989 James Bond film, License To Kill.) I'm totally in love with this original print, and can't wait to hang it in a place of honor over my desk!

From: Alison, my friend and the graphic design guru behind the Catsparella logo

Gift: 2012 Kitten Calendar

For the past few years, I've been able to look forward to my aunt giving me my yearly dose of cuteness through a kitten calendar, and this year she certainly did not disappoint! The calendar comes with a "mini" version too, so I can make sure I'm constantly surrounded by precious kittens, wherever I'm working from.

From: My Aunt Elaine!

Gift: Handmade cat hair necklace, produced out of "beads" of my cat Priscilla's hair

Last month, one of my readers named Jennifer, who runs the blog The Gracie and Peanut Diaries, offered to make me a necklace out of the fur of one of my cats. While it may sound strange to some, it was an offer I couldn't refuse, so I sent a Ziploc bag of Priscilla's hair off to her, and excitedly waited for my new jewelry to arrive. It came in the mail late last week, and I could hardly contain my excitement as I opened the package to find this beautiful piece, made out of a nickel chain, glass pearls, and cat hair! I can't wait to wear it out on the town, and will treasure it forever, as it contains an everlasting reminder of my first cat, who is also the inspiration behind this blog.

I should also mention that Jennifer has an Etsy shop, Miu Miu Wear, where you can purchase other pre-made cat hair related creations, or you can message her about making a custom piece of your own (I'm thinking about commissioning a pair of earrings to match my necklace!)

Extreme cat hair close-up!

Special thanks to Jennifer, and the rest of my friends and family for making this one fur-filled holiday season I'll never forget! Please share your favorite feline related gifts that you received this year in the comments below!

Cat Christmas Gift Round-Up

6 Packs 9 Lives 2012 Calendar Giveaway!

If you checked out my cat calendar guide from last week, then no doubt you got an eyeful of the 2012 6 Packs 9 Lives Calendar, presented by Found Animals.

The sexy calendar features 12 months of hot guys posing with their adopted kitties, created to help break the "cat lady" stereotype, and help promote the benefits of cat adoption. The lusty calendar was shot by fashion and beauty photographer Adam Bouska of the "No H8" campaign, and publisher Brown Trout is donating $1 from each retail sale to help shelter animals in need. In addition, Found Animals has also purchased 10,000 calendars, that were to be donated to LA area non-profit groups that help cats.

Jeff and his cat, Hank

In addition to providing some sweet eye-candy, the calendar also offers a little background on each of the human models, and their feline companions. For example, we learn of Jeff (aka Mr. February), and his cat, Hank:

"Jeff is a huge animal lover and believes each animal has its own personality. He calls his cat Hank, "The Mayor," because he is always watching over what's going on in the house. Jeff and Hank think it's important to adopt a cat because all animals deserve to be loved."

Enter To Win!

Thanks to Found Animals, one of my lucky readers will be enjoying the 6 Packs 9 Lives calendar, all year long!

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your name and some way for me to contact you if you win (email, link back to your blog or profile, Twitter, etc.).

The winner be will chosen in a random drawing next Monday, December 12th at 5:00PM EST. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. One entry per person, please.

Good luck, and be sure to check out Found Animals for more information, including how to purchase a copy of the calendar of your own!

(If you have trouble entering a comment, please email me at catsparella@gmail.com.)

[Comments are now closed. Thanks for entering!]

6 Packs 9 Lives 2012 Calendar Giveaway!

Catsparella 2012 Cat Calendar Guide

Can you believe it's December 1st already? As I turn to the last page of my Yoga Kittens 2011 calendar, my mind turns to 2012, and finding the purrfect kitty-cat calendar that's worthy of my wall. I find choosing a calendar a difficult proposition; In addition to having so many choices, there's the fact that whatever you chose, you have to live with it for an entire year!

You can easily find so many kinds of cat and kitten calendars out there (and frankly, a lot of them start looking the same after awhile), but this list consists of some of my favorites that are a little more off the beaten path, just in case you're ready to give up your plain ol' "Kittens" calendar for something different.

2012 Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar featuring AC!

I profiled AC kitty and the making of this calendar back in October, including an interview with its creator, the lovely Miss Kate Funk. If you're a music and/or black cat fan, you'll love this calendar filled with AC's interpretations of musical icons such as Kitty Gaga, AC Vicious, DJ Mad Catter (shown), and more.

Highly Professional Business Cats 2012 Calendar

Move over Business Cat! These "highly professional" business kitties are ready to make your cubicle more palatable as you imagine your annoying co-workers as feline friends. Added Bonus? The calendar includes "Taco Tuesday" reminders for every Taco Tuesday of 2012!

Cathy Peng 2012 Miniature Owl and Pussycats Calendar

I'm a big fan of Cathy Peng's Etsy shop, so I was super excited to see her adorable designs presented as miniature works of art. Also fun to note is that although it's called the "Owl and Pussycats Calendar," in reality, there's only one owl in sight!

2012 Cat Family Die Cut Calendar

I'm someone who likes to mark my calendars up with holidays, birthdays, appointments, and more, but this desk calendar makes me want to change my ways! The calendar comes with a little display stand, and features 12 charming mama and kitten pairs in a variety of colors and patterns, including white, calico, tuxedo, and more.

Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary 2012 Calendar

A charitable calendar is always a safe bet, and one of my picks for this year features the kitties of Blind Cat Rescue & Sanctuary in St. Pauls, North Carolina. BCRS is a wonderful facility that provides lifetime care for cats that are blind or have been diagnosed with FIV/FELV. $5 from the sales of each calendar will go to help supporting its feline residents.

Dreamcats 2012 Calendar, Peach (Also available in Mint)

Inspired by the popular dreamcats photoblog, this screenprinted calendar by Fieldguided doubles as a fine art print that can be framed and treasured for years to come.

Found Animals 6 Packs 9 Lives 2012 Calendar

This sexy calendar features 12 months of hot guys posing with their adopted kitties, created to help break the "cat lady" stereotype, and help promote cat adoption! The lusty calendar was shot by fashion and beauty photographer Adam Bouska of the "No H8" campaign, and the publisher is donating $1 from each retail sale to help shelter animals in need. In addition, Found Animals has purchased 10,000 calendars, that were donated to LA area non-profit groups that help cats.

Pin Ups Love Pussycats 2012 Mid-Michigan Cat Rescue Calendar

Lest the men get jealous, Mid-Michigan Cat Rescue is offering up some ladies who love their kitties, too! Their calendar features 40's and 50's style photos of rescued cats and kittens, along with vintage clothing clad models in traditional pin-up poses. 100% of the proceeds go to Mid-Michigan Cat Rescue, a non-profit, no kill cat rescue that saves hundreds of homeless cats each year.

Able and Game 2012 Kitty Calendar

Able and Game have turned their quirky, illustrated greeting cards into 12 months of fun with this calendar featuring some of their most popular designs including, "Wishing You All The Cutest Kittens In The World," "I Love You Just The Way I Am," and "You're The Cutest Kitten In The Basket."

Catnip Madness 2012 Wall Calendar

This is your cat, this is your cat on catnip! Catnip Madness colorfully chronicles a year's worth of delinquent kitties that have been caught rolling in the illicit herb, and the hilarious hijinks that ensue.

What's going to be on your wall this year?

Catsparella 2012 Cat Calendar Guide

AC Kitty Rocks Out for Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar

I don't remember exactly when I first came across the fabulous Kate Funk, but what I do know is that I was immediately smitten with her furbulous black cat, AC, whose image graces numerous greeting cards and an annual calendar in her Etsy shop.

Kate lives in Milwaukee, Wis., where she photographs her famous cat, who writes his own blog in between modeling gigs. I recently talked to her about AC's latest venture, the 2012 edition of his Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar, and found out a little more about this cool cat lady and her feline muse!

Read on for more!

AC Rocks Out

Hi Kate! Please tell me about AC. How did he come into your life?

I got AC as a kitten from a no kill shelter here in Milwaukee back in 2006. He had been found abandoned in a box and covered with fleas in someone's garage along with all of his brothers and sisters. I thought was funny when I read your blog post about how black kittens aren't adopted as easily - because it's so true. He was the only black kitten in the litter, and when I initially went in to talk to them about adopting a kitten they told me it usually takes a week or two for the process, but when I picked out AC they dropped him off the next day at my house - just happy that someone would take him.

They don't know his actual date of birth, but we celebrate it on Cinco de Mayo. He's been my #1 buddy ever since, despite everyone thinking he must hate me because I dress him up all of the time.

AC's full name is actually Annoying Customer, based on the movie Clerks. I had to shorten it to AC though, because I had a a customer at a craft show think I was calling her an annoying customer when she asked what his name was and stormed off.

What inspired you to start photographing him?

The first greeting card of him actually started as a joke. I found out early on that he really doesn't seem to mind wearing hats or clothes like other cats do. And I have a friend who would always pick on him for being such a grump - so I took the first photo of him to make into a greeting card for her (it's the AC Happy Birthday card).

I liked it so much that I started giving it out to other friends on their birthdays - one of whom happened to work with me at a paper store here in Milwaukee. Our boss saw it on his desk and asked me if I had anymore because she's love to carry them in the store. I quickly came up with a couple of other designs, started selling them at that store, and eventually worked my way into other stores. I think it's so funny that what started out as a joke became what I do now - and I love it.

AC Rotten

How long does it take you to the shoot the calendar?

It usually takes about 8 months - I always try to start in January and tell myself I'll get it done by May, but it never happens that way. I do videography for weddings, too, so once June hits it's harder for me to get anything done. Once I'm done I send the photos to my partner, Brennan Groh, who does the design for it. And then finally it goes to the printers. So it's kind of a long process.

How did you decide on this year's musical theme?

Brennan and I usually take the time while we're sitting at craft fairs to sit and brainstorm what we'll do for the following year. Last year I had done the AC be Ballin' card just for fun and really liked how it turned out - so we decided to continue on that theme with having different musical genres for all of the months. Next year, though, we decided we're going to let AC's fans choose (I'm always getting tons of suggestions from people).

There is going to be info in the upcoming calendar as well as on my blog once the calendar officially comes out about a contest on AC's blog where people can give us their ideas for what they'd like to see for 2013. AC, Brennan, and I will vote on our favorite and the winner will receive a free copy of the calendar once it comes out.

Special thanks to Kate for taking the time to answer my questions! You can pre-order AC's 2012 Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar from now through October 12th for just 12 bucks, and Kate also has an awesome selection of AC greeting cards in her Etsy shop for all of your holiday needs, including a new AC is a Mummy card for Halloween!

AC Kitty Rocks Out for Super Amazing 100% Awesome Cat Calendar