Conference misery::feline_v1

    Nancy, this may be too obvious to be feasible, but here goes:
    how about a ribbon such as they give at horse shows, saying
    Runner Up, (date and/or event), using plaid ribbon to make
    the circle and the hanging down pieces.
    
    Or two boxes of Walkers Scottish shortbread.  One unopened box
    filled with shortbread and the other (which you have happily
    consumed or shared with friends) filled with cat treats.  The
    boxes have an appropriate plaid on them.
    
    Or a picture frame with either plaid fabric around the edges
    or a thistle pattern which the proud owner of the runner up
    could use to mount a picture of their winning cat.
    
    Don't know if it's in the budget, but there are several
    crystal manufacturers who make glasses with thistles
    engraved on them.  Buy a brandy snifter or a "pony" size
    and present to the winning owner with a cute little
    Scottish plaid card saying something like "for all the
    times you've worried about your cat, he/she/it appreciates
    it and wants you to have a drink on them."  I'm not a
    writer, but you get the idea.
    
    Or keep it simple.  When I married a Scotsman four years
    ago we had a piper at the wedding.  It's easy to find tapes
    or CD's of bagpipe music.  Wrap in plaid paper and you're
    done.  We also had a seamstress quickly make up table
    cloths and napkins for the reception dinner out of a
    handsome plaid (not my husband's tartan, I couldn't
    get the material in time), and I use the napkins all
    the time with a solid color tablecloth, the plaid
    tablecloth less frequently.  Even easier, check the
    department stores for already made ones.
    
    Good luck.
    
    Laura Chester-McLellan

buy 2 yards of plaid material, sew it together to make a pillow case shape,
fill with batting, sew up the open end....trim all around with a ruffle or
other trim you can buy at a yardage shop.  Voilla!!! you have a comfortable
pad for the champion Scottish fold cat.  I wouldn't take a wizard seamstress
to do this by any means, and I'm sure you can get the materials for <= $10.00.

    How about matching plaid scarves for the cat & owner?
    
    

    OK. Nancy,
    
    What was your final decision??  I've been waiting to hear.....
    
    Sandi and the Storm Troopers
    
    

    I found a crystal Christmas Platter in the World Wildlife Fund
    catalog.  It was a little more than the $10 limit but I liked it
    so much I decided to go for it.  Besides, the money goes to a good
    cause.  
    
    I ordered 4 so I'd have one.  The platter shows a longhair cat with
    a big bow around her neck and the edge of the platter is holly.  Its
    clear crystal with the design in texture rather than color if you
    know what I mean.
    
    THanks for all the ideas guys.  I guess I just opted for the lazy
    solution ;^)
      Nancy DC
    

uh, WHAT'S around the edge??  hmm... one of MY favorite plants! (-:

Holly