It’s come to this. I bought a stack of dollar-store foamcore and built this fortress to repel the kitten’s perpetual investigations. It looks ridiculous. Hoping the sloping top will deter her from lounging on the roof as she would do when the build was merely shrouded.
Of course, when I lifted the stronghold to work on the build… “Hey, what’s that cracking sound?”
As Paula Poundstone recounted, I can’t have nice things.
nancyland.com 
It’s amazing how in only five minutes with kittens/puppies/children our vulnerabilities are fully exposed! It seems to be around the three year mark around here before we can “relax” again!
*sigh* Scarlett is only five months old and accelerating exponentially on the rambunctious scale. Fortunately she is as sweet and loving as she is rowdy :)
Curiosity killed the Foam Board!
Have you thought about a metal pet cage or a BIG cardboard box which you could lift off and on over your project?
I am perhaps exaggerating for dramatic effect. Also, it’s somewhat of a moot point since this will be my last free-standing build, much as I enjoy the HBS contests. I just do not have the room to harbor or display. I’m committed to 1:12 scale; I just have to figure out a viable expression. Working on it :)
Not cardboard! She’ll chew, burrow and otherwise infiltrate the project.
The metal petcage could work. Assuming it was large enough to keep the wool works out of her reach.
I just saw you reply about space and 1:12 scale…..and it got me thinking. @nesha_kaye on Instagram works in 1:6. But she purchases room boxes that can collapse down and be stored. I think it was in the early months of 2016 she did a photo set on her room boxes, or just ask her! Given your new found carpentry skills this could be a great option to create and play but then hide it away!
I’ve been pondering a room box like that, but haven’t committed anything to paper yet.
An interesting thought! I’m thinking an indoor/outdoor room box to stage and photograph current projects. I’ve found that I’m not all that into making mini scenes — once a build and its furnishings are complete, I don’t tend to revisit them. The other venue I’m considering are shallow — maybe 4 inches deep? — that could hang on a wall.
nancy, I had my brother’s two cats on vacation at my place a couple of weeks back. I am now absolutely sure that I do not want a cat again ;-) … as lovable as they are…
Heh, Marion, I can see how you might feel that way. Had a major breakthrough yesterday when I let the kitten go outside with the older cats for a good portion of the day. Seems the outdoors is big enough to entertain and tire her out :)
Thank goodness kittens grow quickly. When Ester was a wee one I used to spend my studio time crumbling balls of paper for her to chase, but then would watch her play and not get anything accomplished. :)
She is growing quickly, and so far my new defense system is holding — for the build at least. There are still all the cubbies and flat surfaces which must be investigated and emptied :)
Hmm… I recommend building a wood frame and plexi glass walls. With hinges and a lock to stymie kitten paws.
Excellent recommendation, Sheila. There should be kits for those!
An avid miniaturist and dear friend of mine in the UK finally gave in to the family cat and had a chalet built in her back garden strictly for miniature making. (I had to see it to actually believe it.)
Oh that would be ideal! All the supplies, tools and materials in one place… *sigh*