YAPPING CAT STUDIO

Welcome to my Studio Party!

Karen at My Desert Cottage is having a party today.  In the vein of the "Where Women Create" magazine, she has invited bloggers to show off just where "the magic happens".  

I'm glad to show off my special little spot. 

The Studio once was, and still is to a degree, our guest bedroom.  But still, I have made it a space that is near and dear to my heart.  So come on, I'll give ya a quick tour.  I'm glad its clean today. 

 

Mr. Bunny Head watches over all things being created.

 

Stamps, markers and ribbon close at hand.

 

Looking up as I work provides great inspiration.

 

My little work desk.  And look, when clean, there is actually more than 2" of workspace there.  And I need to skirt that table in the worse way. 

 

The clock wears Mickey Ears!

 

The inspiration board filled up fast.  And if extra light is needed on a cloudy day, I just plug in the Chandi.

 

Collecting vintage ink bottles has become a new passion.

 

And it is still really the guest bedroom. 

 

Bins hold paint and supplies.  And yet, another inspiration board to the right of it.

 

Jar of Stickles.  I do love "sparkly".

 

The room may appear to be clean, but in reality, its really just organized chaos.

 

But regardless, there is no place like home, except maybe "the Studio". 

Thanks for taking a peep at The Yapping Cat Studio.  And thanks to Karen for hosting such a fab party! 

***Edited to Add***

PS - For those that are interested, Tina and I have just updated the Paper Cowgirl blog with the Fall information.  Thanks.

From Crappy to Spring..ie Decorating

My Entry way.  It's a quirky little space.  Emphasis on the word little.  But I do like to doll it up by season. 
BEFORE

As you can see it's been sadly neglected since about...er uhm ..Fall!  And not just neglected.  Picked on.  Cause I have taken things off here and there and moved them to other parts of the house.  So it needed a bit of a "refresh".  Greatly. Poor little sad,neglected entryway.
AFTER

Much better.  A little more "Springie" anyway. 

"Mr. Bunny" has been around for eons.  He's some sort of plaster, one of the first things I'd ever painted.  About 20 years ago.  I think his faux concrete needs a little touch up here and there.  Move's have not been kind to him.

 
Little nicks on his paw and ear.  Don't you love that paper tape measure?  I love that thing and it just felt like it needed to be tucked there.

I would have preferred to use real ivy.  But I read somewhere that it is poisonous to cats.  With our "Hoover" that's a risk I don't want to take.  He "sucks" up everything and plants are a specialty of his.  

Are'nt the chicks cute?  Can't remember where I picked those up at.  And the eggs are from work.
 
On the other side I still had a huge basket of Fall stems, berries and leaves up.  Sad really.  The cobbler's kids I guess.  So, a change to a window frame with a little nest and vintage pic tucked into it.  As well as a change of pillows. 

This frame has been white, now black.  Wonder what it would look like red or turq blue? Hmmm.  I love spray paint.  LOL.

And this funny little thing.  Not sure if it is shelf or what.  Today it is a footstool.  LOL.  It has been one of those pieces that is in the house, then the booth, the back to the house again.  A piece that I can't seem to part with. 

There.  A little fresh and springier looking.  Hopefully It won't have to wait almost seven months again before a change of scenery.

"Hoover" approved!  :)

Happy Friday!

More shopping At Canton on Friday

But thank goodness it was a much warmer day.

Anytime I head to Canton, I love to stop in and see Laurie Anna's fabu shop on Hwy 19.  She has the best eye for putting fantastic displays together, as well as fun product that I don't see anywhere else.  And heck, I go to Dallas Market even. 

 

Look at this cute little wire stand.  I have a thing for stands.  And the little rooster..how cute is he?  His price tag was on the twine...but I liked the way it look, so I just left it on.  The twine, not the price tag.  Otherwise it would be the Minnie Pearl rooster...for those old enough to remember her.

The little plant in the galvanized planter was a previous purchase from her store a few months ago.  Looks real doesn't it? 

Here's a closer shot of that cute little rooster.  He looks like shabby concrete.  I need to STOP buying roosters...it's a bad thing.  LOL. 

I don't normally keep a tablecloth on the table.  Figured just something else to be covered in cat hair.  But I do kinda like the way it looks.  Oh the apples...Faaaaake!  LOL.

See?  Usually nekkid, like this.

Which is better?  Nekkid or table cloth?  Course this little stand will probably be moved 5,000 times over the next week or so, till it finds the perfect spot.  Then it will be moved another 2,000.  Plus it drives Sweet Hub crazy when I do that.  Bonus.

But back to Lauri Annas.  Her shop is having a huge event.  Look here for more info.  She is having a fun, open house called Serendipity Market on Febuary 20 - February 21st from 9am to 5 pm.  She will serving a champagne brunch from 9 am - 11 pm for early arrivals.  And her fabulous participants are none other than the fantastic Linda and Ludmil of Willows Nest.  As well as the awesome LuAnn of Patina Green.  LuAnn just opened a great new shop in McKinney called Smitten, which I have yet to see, but hope to soon. 

I'm trying to be thrifty, and with a great shop like hers, fun, cute things at great prices, it's easy to do so.  Drop by and see her and tell her the Yapping Cat said hey.  :D

Happy Tuesday.

 

...And They Lived Happily Ever After.

That's always the wish for any young couple just starting out isn't it?  Years of "Happily Ever After". 

So, with that thought in mind, that was the theme of our bridal shower for my niece,Tay.  Here I placed a shabby, white urn on a vintage, silver, tray.  I scattered lots of those little plastic shoes across the tray to represent the coveted "Glass Slipper".   You can find these at most Dollar Tree stores.  They make a fun party favor.

So wonderful when the Handsome Prince shows up with that glass slipper right?   The Fairy Godmother wand rests atop the edge of the tray, ready for Magical Use.

And what should fill the top of the urn?   Why silver, glittered pumpkins, of course.  They are merely waiting for a tap of the FGM wand, to be turned into Magical Couches.  One small mouse anxiously wishes to be a Handsome Footman or Driver.  LOL.  (The cat was kind enough to loan a new mouse for this little project.  Thanks Pea.)

We have our very modest candy bar set with favor bags, ready for the taking (And check out that awesome Mac & Cheese in the background!).  Since the color theme of the wedding is black/white and turquoise blue, I tried to get those colors for the candy bar.  Course, Kisses were perfect...cause what Fairy Tale romance does not have the perfect "kiss"?  LOL.  And the Ring Pops were a huge hit.  Blue tongues for everyone. 

Thanks Karebear (one of my other nieces) for demonstrating!  LOL!  You are looking mighty cute and sassy there! 

Our little chalkboard declares the theme!

And here's our whole thing put together.  You can see our luscious cupcakes in the background.  Two Sister's Lunchbox Cafe (sorry, can't seem to link to) made them and they were awesome!  Moist and delicious, with melt in your mouth icing.  I'm so happy that there were a few left over.  And my other sweet niece (Jenn) and SIL (Sheri) in the background as well!

But our Bride was a great sport. Enduring wedding shower games, endless harassment and even wearing this cheesy little crown and veil through the whole thing. She is a lovely girl and we wish her and hubby to be the best!  A Fairy Tale Romance and Happily Ever After!

 

My pretty girl Jenn and the lovely bride, Tay!

Huge thanks and hugs to Sheri (awesome Mac & Cheese!  Thanks for the left-overs!), Kari and Jenn for all your help.  Thanks Babes!  Could NOT have done it with out girls!  Lotsa Love to you guys!

Happy Tuesday!

Autumn Gathering

Isn't it fun to have two parties in less than two weeks?  I think so. 

Kari at Artsy Mama decided to have an Autumn Gathering and a showing of Fall and Halloween decor.  Since I usually don't put up my Halloween decor till the day of, I thought I would just show you a few touches of Fall that I have around the house.

This is the hutch in my kitchen.  And I've added the black and white checkered plates and a few fall items, just as a simple change of season.

 Acorns are a big fave.  As well as the little crow.  But for Halloween we call him a Raven. 

Ain't he cute?

The green apples of summer are replace with gourds, pumpkins and fall leaves.  And a change of tea towels is in order.  Love tea towels.  I have a tea towel thing. 

See?  More tea towels.

Love my black board.  Made it myself.  And I usually list anything from menu's to movie quotes.  And everything in between.  My Jersey Creamer holds my chalks.

The summery tomato stems are replaced with fall leaves and such.  Makes a nice change.

The little entry way gets a change of well. 

Love the little dome and stand.  Got that at Laurie Anna's. 

Here's a little shot with out the dome on it.  I have a little nest and the words "home" spelled out inside of it. 

I love that framed print.  Found it in a little antique shop in the next town over.  Had Michael's clean up the back and put a new mat in.  I just love the colors. 

Another little cage, stuffed with fall leaves and flowers.  Sits on a silver tray with a ceramic pumpkin and a frame that I made (that I have yet to put a photo in). 

And last , but not least, those little homey-combed chicks found a shredded paper nest on a brown transfer ware plate with a velvet flower.  They were so sweet.  I just have not had the heart to let them go. 

Happy  Autumn Gathering and thanks for stopping by.

I'm playing Pink Saturday!

I love Pink.  It's one of my favorite colors.  To wear in clothes or makeup.  To do art with.  To eat.  LOL.  But oddly enough, it does not find it's way into my decor too much. 

So, I had to "stretch it a bit" to play Beverly's Pink Saturday.  But here goes:

Pink earrings, thread, apron and plate that I just found at a flea market last week.

Pink cat food bowl.

That matches her pink collar, but you can't see that for the fur.  LOL.

Pink dish washing liquid.  Pretty and smells really good too!

Favorite pink floral Cath Kidston coffee mug.

Pink floral shower curtain.

Little pink berries around the little pink candle in a little birdie bath holder.  ewwwww. Dusty.  LOL.

Pink roses in the artwork in my bathroom. Love this picture!

Little pink goodie box made by my best swap pal, Lisa Laughs. She always does the prettiest pink stuff.

And last, but not least, some pink made by me!

Pink fairy journal.

Happy Pink Saturday.  Thanks for stopping by.  And don't forget to sign up for the giveaway in the post below.

What do you love?

Got the chance last Sunday night to hang with some gals and make a little craft, creative time.  Some old friends and some semi-new, and brand new!  Was fun to chat and breath in the talented air that was floating in the room!  : D  Even though Sis had us play a game that had me out of my comfort zone, it was all good and I actually enjoyed the process and spontaneity of it when we where done.  Discovered the common love of "Pinky and the Brain" and many uses for the word, "snark".  Can't you see Pinky saying that, "snark!".  LOL  So thanks Sherri for the get-together, will look forward to the next one.

Found this great quote and it has been on my mind a lot this week. 

"We are shaped and fashioned by what we love" - Goethe

Here are just a few of the things I love:

Old jewelry.  Loved it since before the eighties.  Maybe because it was what my grandmother wore.  Not sure, but have always loved these kinds of pieces.  The spark-lier the better.

A new love.

Color and sparkle, the best of both worlds.

Vintage images...whats NOT to love.  (These are from Birds & Butterflies by Nancy Rosin, copyright free images).

Velvet.  Enough said.

Color!

Everything on my junky inspiration board!

What do you love?

Have a great weekend!

Working, working.

That's me.  More art "stuff" to post later this week.

There is real magic in enthusiasm.  It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment. - NW Peale

Thanks Mr. Peale.  That is my motto for this week.  And I got a huge kick out of this:

I found it amusing and rather complimentary.  After all, doesn't that mean I'm just a great big kid at heart?  I like to think so anyway.  Yeah, I can use big words and my inside voice, but I don't really wanna!  Nyah, nyah, nyah.  LOL.  Rate your own blog here. I guess not all of us can be like Sis and be "college level".   Her blog is where I got it from, after I saw her excellent rating, well, I just had to do my own.  Little did I know.  According to my rating...apparently that would be the case.  LOL.   

Finally finished missy Andrea's Cowgirl Swap (I'm sorry so late!) and it will be headed out to her first thing in the morning.  Working on a little secret sumpin, sumpin.  Which will also go out first thing in the morning.  Working on a little sumpin for CP.  And some booth junk.  It's all good.  Then, down to brass tacks and actual "paid for" work will need to be commencing.  I'll shoot some pics along the way.  I'll show ya the wonders (ha!) and the blunders.  We call those, "learning experiences".  LOL.  Well.  What else do you expect from someone who still loves the carnival, cotton candy, kittens and spinning around till she makes herself dizzy.  Nothing less I hope. 

Happy Wednesday.

**Edited to add:  Well, apparently my blog writing/reader level is unable to make the link work correctly as well.  I've put it in three times.  I call UNCLE!  Go to Sis's blog to check it out!  : D    Thanks.

 

Hurry up and go no where.

Do you ever have so many ideas and so many new projects in your mind, that your head fairly swims with it all?  So much work on your desk that you are practically silly with?  And so many balls in the air, that you are practically on tippy toes trying to keep them all up in the air?  That's the way I feel on this warm, summer morning.  So much to do and yet a slight fever and very sore throat.  I hate summer colds.  They dampen my enthusiasm greatly.

No real reason for these pics other than I hate a post without a pic.  To me, it's like strawberries without whipped cream.  It just ain't right. 

This is my little "summer scape" in my entryway.  I thought it felt kinda cool and green.  Hoping it will make me not think about the 90 something degree's on the otherside of the front door. 

And no, I never did paint the mirror.  I got the can of RED though.  That's one of the five jillion things I hope to accomplish this week.  Lots of goodies in the garage that needs spray paint.  That will make Sweet Hub happy indeed.  Specially if said items are then REMOVED from the garage.  Yes.  I live to make that man happy.  Insert your own eye roll here.   

Oh for those that are interested, we have a date for our "Paper Cowgirl" Texas Art Retreat.  September 26th, in Waxahachie, TX.  Tina Wright and I are still hammering out the details and lining up creative chics to teach.  I think it will be a weekend of fun, food and creativity.  Feel free to email if questions or more details. 

Happy Monday.

 

 

"I went to a Garden Party...

...to reminisce with my old friends."  Isn't that they way the old song went?  I guess I'm showing my age eh?  Rick Nelson right?  And while the song was not really what I had in my head when I decided to have a couple of gal pals over for lunch, I thought it would make a cute theme.  And these dear friends needed a little TLC and some fussing over.

Actually what did inspire me was the Dollar Spot at Target.  The garden gloves, children's garden tools and garden markers (which I used as place markers) all came from Dollar  Spot.  IKEA .49 cent dish towles - cool napkins.  Just fold em and go.  I had originally intended to use the garden tools as salad tongs, but ended up doing veggie soup, rather than salad. 

Mostly everything else I just had around the house.  The paper lanterns were a close out at Hobby Lobby. 

I just used one of my potted ivys.  Fresh berries.  Pansies from the garden and seed packets.  Sweet Hub intends to plant those anyway.  And my chalk board.  Are chalk boards a Southern Girl thing?  I love my chalk boards.  LOL.

I also have a plate stash.  I just seem to pick em up when I find em on clearance or close-out.  I thought these were kind of fun to mix together. 

I tucked a fake fern under the glass plate stand, just to give it some more color.

On the bar I had another chalk board with the menu.  And Sis's groovy bday tray corrals the bread and dip.  The empty bowl is waiting for baby carrots to be placed into.  Which I forgot.  I called and asked the girls to bring me a bag.  Gah.  Eye roll here. 

I had intended to line the little bucket (also Dollar Spot) with lettuce or cabbage leaves and then dump my dip in, but I didn't have any.  Forgot those too.   Duh.  LOL. 

See?  It needed pretty cabbage or lettuce leaves.  LOL.  What is it, the devil is in the details?  Well, sometimes I forget some of the details.  LOL.  But no one, but me knows.  Except, now, well, you do.   

My other chalk board. 

And last but not least.  The cake.  Now, I'm not a good baker.  At all.  I can cook, but the science of baking eludes me.  As you can see...it burnt a little.  And I don't know why.  I did the correct temp, oil/floured the Bundt pan, so I don't understand.  And it's all from scratch.  I just wanted to stomp my foot and pout.  Oh Well.  Anyway, I digress.  It is a Potato Chocolate Spice Cake and even with the wee bit of burn, it tasted pretty good.  Nice and moist inside. 

Well there you have it.  Garden Decor for a party on the cheap.  I think I spent $6.00 at the Dollar Spot.  I grab a bunch of those IKEA .49 cent towels every time we are up that way and the rest...just around the house. 

Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend.  Have a safe Memorial Day.  And thank you to those who fought. so that the rest of us can celebrate in freedom.  We owe you many, many thanks and much gratitude.