Trace the biggest oval that can fit onto a 9 inch by 12 inch (23 cm by 30 cm) piece of cardboard. Position it so that if you draw a line across the short direction of the oval, that's the same direction the cardboard is corrugated. This will help you fold a hinge in the middle of the oval so that the mouth can open and close. Place the rectangle of cardboard on a scratch-proof surface, like a cutting board. Hold the cardboard with one hand, and with the other, cut around the circle with a utility knife. Always cut in the direction away from your body, to avoid accidentally cutting yourself. The sharper the blade, the easier it will be to cut through the cardboard. It's possible to cut cardboard with scissors, but you'll need heavy-duty cardboard scissors, not the ones you use for fabric or paper.

Summary: Trace an oval onto a piece of cardboard to make the mouth. Cut out the cardboard oval with a utility knife.

For the first 2 to 3 days under-play contact with the cat. Make sure she has everything she needs and the tray is clean, refresh her water, and top up food, but leave it at that. Let her get used to the new sights, sounds, and smells around her. If she wants to come out of her own accord and investigate fine, but if not, leave her be. Always speak in a quiet, gentle voice, even if she lashes out and is violent towards you. Never confront the cat by staring at her in her hiding place. Direct eye contact makes a cat feel threatened because in cat language a direct stare is a challenge of authority. To them, staring is a signal that the staring-cat wants to be boss, and this is the last thing an abused cat needs in a new home, where you want her to feel confident and safe. After 2 to 3 days have passed, spend some time in the same room as the cat. Take a good book and a bag of cat treats, settle yourself down to read and have some treats in your hand. The idea is to let her get used to your company, and to see that you are not doing anything other than sitting quietly. Eventually, if she feels bold enough she may take a tentative step out from her hiding place. Let the watch you for a few minutes and then gently toss a treat in her direction. If she eats it great, but if she scurries back under cover do not fret, it is to be expected. This is where bucket loads of patience comes in because you need to be prepared to sit in this way every day for an hour or more if necessary. Even then it can take weeks for some cats to build the confidence to start taking the treats. Once the cat takes a treat at a distance, start leaving the treat a little bit closer each time, setting a trail for her to follow that draws her closer to you. Ultimately, the goal is to get her approaching close enough to take a treat from your hand, and eventually allow you to gently pet her. In this way get the cat patterned onto treats, which will help her to associate you with pleasant things. Remember that behind the fear and shyness there is a lovely cat needing to relearn confidence and trust. It takes time, but if you are patient and kind these animals can repay that kindness a thousandfold. There is so much pleasure to be had, months down the line, in recognizing the immense turnaround possible in these animals.

Summary: Avoid attempting to make contact with the cat for the first 2 to 3 days. Refrain from making eye contact. Start to build a relationship by sitting in the same room as the cat. Toss her a treat. Draw the cat closer to you with a trail of treats. Be patient.

You need to use a large enough pot with good drainage. You might also want to consider pots made out of plastic or resin, since these won't absorb water that should go to the plant. Potted plants need a more nutrient rich soil than garden plants, since they don't get the benefit of water circulation like regular plants. Use a high-quality potting soil and pair it with some compost. Potted plants, like garden plants, are prone to pests and mold. Even more so because they lack the natural environmental counterbalances. If mold develops on your soil, remove the top layer of soil and replace it. If you end up with a pest problem, deal with it promptly before your flowers are negatively affected. Different types of flowers need more or less sun. Carefully plan where you will place your pots so that the flowers get the correct amount. You'll have to keep the light angle, time of day, and directionality of the sunlight in mind when placing the pot (don't just put a sun-needy flower in front of just any window). If you don't have access to enough sunlight, trying using a fluorescent light. If the plant doesn't seem to be taking off in the way you'd like, introduce an appropriate fertilizer for that particular plant. Consult your local nursery for a good product. When the blossoms get wilted or are simply growing in an unnecessary location (such as under the rest of the plant), you can encourage more and healthier blossoms by pinching off the ones you don't want. Check the soil for moisture daily and provide the right level of water to keep the soil damp enough for your particular plant. The temperature of the environment, exposure to natural rainfall, the type of soil, and the type of plant all play a part in how much water your flowers will need. Check your plant every now and again to see if it needs a bigger pot. Turn it over and look at the drainage holes. If lots of roots are poking through, you need a bigger pot.
Summary: Use the best possible pot. Use the appropriate soil. Keep an eye out for pests and mold. Give the flowers the right amount of sun. Introduce some fertilizer. Deadhead to encourage more blossoms. Maintain a good watering routine. Increase the pot size if necessary.