YAPPING CAT STUDIO

Wee Wonderful

Joanna over at Sweet Finds set up this wonderful little swap of Valentine ATC's and I was very honored to be amongst these oh-so-talented ladies to participate.  Wanted to drop and bow and say, "I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy" ala Wayne (as in Wayne's World).  

Like a tiny, delicious bon-bon.  That is what this wee, little Valentine ATC book is.  Come and take a look.

Joanna did the adorable cover.

Jana at Scrappin Jana did the next page.  Is that itsy, pom pom fringe not the sweetest?

 
Me.  Sneak peek revealed! 

Missy Valita (whom I had the pleasure of meeting at last years Paper Cowgirls), did this adorable page.  LOVE that mica heart.

 

Joanna did this page as well.  See the cute little silver heart?  She had a cupid charm on there as well.  The details on this tiny page are amazing...stitching, the stones in her necklace.  Just wonderful.

This little bit of wonderful by "the other Cindy" at JunqueArt.  Loved the colors and that sweet bit of velvet ribbon. 

 

How could a yapping cat not love this page by my friend Maija?  It has kitties and a wee red flower, what's not to love? 

 

Love the somber colors with the touches of red on this pretty page by Gina.  She has a cute blog called Embrace your Bliss.  Tickled to have found her.

See the wee heart at the top of the page?  Wooden.  Covered in old book page and edges rolled in glitter. Divine.  Simply divine.  Done by Heather.  All the little details are delicious.

 

Sorry.  Shot these at the end of the day, so not as crisp as I would have liked.  OK, I'm a sucker for turq/red combo.  And add black polka's....well, I'll say yes to anything.  Are the details here not scrumptious?  The tiny heart with the sweet banner, the pearls, the scalloped ribbon....Jenny...get a blog gurl.  Get a blog.  LOVED the wee bluebird on the back as well.

 

Simply adorable!  What's the old saying, "less is more?".  Ali..you had me at "would"...LOL.  Even her other side page is too stinkin cute!

 

See?   Her moo card slips under the tulle bow?  *sigh*.  Ali, Ali, Ali.  

And the little sweetheart on the right is by the awesome Alisa over at Life is a beautiful place to be.  Loved the colors.  And the tiny wee silver heart on the back side (which sorry did not take a pic of). 

And...there was more.  Sweet goodies of all shapes and sizes and even a cookie. 

I can't think of a better and more sweeter Valentine.  Thanks gals for allowing me to be a part of.  Again, I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy. 

A wee peeky

See?  Valentines...who can resist?

I'm working on some kits and supplies, HOPEFULLY to be in my Etsy, by this weekend.  Hopefully.

Happy (at least a little warmer) Thursday.

Cold! Brrrrrrrr! Winter...fun?

What's the old saying about Texas weather, give it a minute and it will change...or something like that.  Just a week ago, we were in the 70's and yesterday,Oh yeah, it's Winter.  Wham back to the 30's!  Actually it started late Friday night and has been getting colder and colder ever since.

Watching the numerous slipping and sliding on the TV this morning, made me very thankful that I was not out there among em.  I do not like "attempting to drive" on ice.  Scary stuff indeed.  Overpasses.

I spent the day cozy in the studio, actually getting to make a few things.  Hearts and cupids are spread from one end of the room to the other, but ended up making something "un-Valentine-ie". 

A little journal. 

As "Sweet Hub" ambled by, he glanced in, observed above, and said, "That's cute.  What do the wings mean, I see those everywhere".  And I had to ask, "Really, where do you see them everywhere?".  Expecting him to say, magazines, book store, cards, IDK, Internet.  And he replied, "On everything you do".  Oh.  I think I muttered something about fairies...but he was halfway down the hall, coffee in hand, back to work.  LOL. 

I know there are those that are getting worse weather than us.  And I hate that for ya'll.  Too many days like this and I would have cabin fever...maybe.  But then again, I could get ALOT done, craft wise.  I think.  LOL.  And put wings on everything, just for Sweet Hub.  LOL. 

Another chilly one tonight...I'm off to look for socks and a to rustle up a cup of hot tea.  Stay warm, it's a happy, but cold Wednesday.

"The reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated"

As Mark Twain once said. 

Sorry to have been gone so long.  My cold took a nasty turn for the worst and just kicked my fanny.  Sinus issues are still running rampant, but overall feeling much better.  Thank you for all the kind inquiries and well wishes. 

I managed to drag myself off my death bed this week, LOL, to  go to Market for a day.  Was fun to see all the new things coming out.  As well, as just at all the fun influences that the "altered art" world has on the industry.  The PaPaYa booth was gorgeous!  All of the wonderful products grouped together make such an impact and it's so hard not to buy them all.  Demdaco had Kelly Rae Roberts and her lovely art prints.  Curly Girl , was fun to see, as I've been a big fan of her artwork for awhile now.  Went through at breakneck speed and saw lots of cool things.  I will have to take pics as goodies come into the shop.

This week has also kept me busy with a little wedding idea/hunting, as another niece plans to marry before the year is out.  As well as some Paper Cowgirl planning.  Head Cowgirl Tina was here for a few days, which gave us a chance to scout some locations and do some leg work for PC.  As soon as we have more tacked down, we will let you know. 

And I have to share with you one of my favorite finds.  Lisa Cook has a most fabulous Etsy shop.  And I had to have her Valeninte kit.  Look at this gorgeous stash of goods!

 
 
So many goodies, all in red, black and maroon. 

Lots of cool trinkets and paper things.

I was absolutely delighted with all of the materials here.

Go check out Lisa at www.lisacook.etsy.com and see some of her fabulous things for yourself!

 

Sweet, but Contagious!

That seems to be  the status of those kisses I received last week from Sweet Hub.  And nope, not the chocolate kind either. 

So today finds me up to my sore throat in tea and tissues.  And doesn't tea just taste better in a Cath Kidston mug?  I think so. 

But at least I've got great reading material to keep my happy, in between cough syrup induced shut-eye and sips of Lemon Zinger. 

These two are amazing!  Just breath-takingly amazing.  So much inspiration and eye candy.  I just can't stop gushing.  No wait, that's my nose running. 

But seriously, these just make me want to try harder, to achieve the loveliness that adorns these pages.  Somerset always does a top job.  And with fewer and fewer eye candy mags now, it is so great to have them doing all that they do.

So, I'm going to toddle back to bed, there are fur babies there, to keep my feet warm.  Hope you are warm where you are.

Happy, but snotty, Wednesday!

Finally

Now, why should ya'll be treated any differently that my nearest and dearest.  Meaning.  I always say I will do something at some time or another and am always late.  So.  I said kits and all would be added Sunday, but now it's Monday.  Sorry. I'm late.  It's just me. 

I decided to do a cute little supply kit once a month on my Etsy.  This will be a one time only, one of a kind, kit.  When that one is gone, it's gone.

Since I am currently in LOVE with all things taupe, cream, white and black, those are the colors found in this months chaaarmin little kit called, "Curious Goods". 

"Curious Goods" is a delight array of well, everything.  Old lace, vintage paper things, and even an egg, it has all the delightful things that you might pick up in an antique mall.

From old lace, to spools, flash cards, fortunes, bingo cards...it's a treasure trove of fun.  All packed up in a sweet, little, brown box for January. 

And I'm not "de-stashing", goodness, no...I barely have enough "stash" as it is.  LOL.  I just thought these were fun grouped together and made a pretty little kit. 

 

Now it did hurt a little to tuck that "Dry Goods" card in there.  On the back is a photo of the building and someone has written "I work on the 23rd floor".  It's really cool...but for you guys, only the best. 
So I hope you will check out this fun little kit on my Etsy.

Also on my  Etsy is "The Charming Gardener" tag kit. 

 

It includes everything you need to make four Charming Gardeners tags.  I include directions and a sample page as well.

So one kits makes four of these little guys (although the colors may vary slightly).  I'm working on putting a few more on as well.

I'm also working on Book Kits for my Glitter and Grunge.  And the February kit.  Cause that will be here before we know it.  And a Spring Kit and maybe even a Marie kit.  And you know me always behind, so I guess I will go get busy.  Thanks for taking a look.

It's a happy Monday ya'll.

another look at the charming gardener

The "charming gardener" is a theme that often seems to show up in my artwork.  I don't know if it is this little stamp (by Oxford Impressions) or just Proust's verse in general, but it always seems to reappear, every so often.

And this time of year...I seem to have a thing for taupe, black and just a wee bit of green and gray.

He's such a cute little feller.  Kinda sad.  Which makes it ironic that I use it with a verse about being happy.  Hmmmmm. 

I've spent the day working on something that I can't share right now, but hope to later on.  It's been great fun and I was so honored to be a part of it.

But what I can show you are these tags.  I had some pieces left over (from what I was working on) and decided to use the extras to make some tags.  Had so much fun...thought it might make a cute kit. 

And I actually liked the second tag better than the first, so that will be in the kit offering.  The colors will vary and the design may be just a wee bit different. 

I hope to finish up the kit, hopefully two, later tonight.  I hope to get them, as well as the almost finished taupe box kit, on my Etsy before the weekend is up.

Whoo hoo, it's Friday.

 

Feeling Snarky

Thank you all so much for all your thoughts and prayers for my brother.  He has been allowed to go home, which is good, but has a long recovery ahead. Still much indecision (on the Doc's part) over just how much damage has been done to the leg and ankle because there is so much swelling in the area.  They managed to pin the shattered ankle back together.  And thew away some leftover bone...dunno if that is scary or funny.  I guess kinda like the odd bolt or screw that you have left over after an appliance repair.  But the calf muscle is very traumatized and continues to be  a problem.  So, it is a wait and see game.  But thanks again for all of the kind words and prayers.  We appreciate it so.

Had a chance to play in the studio today.  Just could not seem to get much of a mojo going, but managed to get one thing done.  A comp book.  Wow, alert the media. 

I loved the colors and especially the Amy Butler papers.  I love to mix vintage and brand new.  Which is weird, cause usually I'm such a purist on something like that.  LOL. 

 
Here's the inside.  Don't you love this paper?

And I loved this image of the couple.  But could not quiet figure out if he was telling her he loved her.  He didn't love her.  Or maybe it was something like this, "But Darling, inside I've always felt more like a Henrietta rather than a Henry!".  See.  Snark.  Sorry.  Let's chalk it up to stress. 

She looks stressed.  He does not.  Perhaps he is working up the nerve to tell her that he has secretly been donning her knickers?   I don't know.  What is the worst thing that he could be telling her?   Even that teeny little cupid can't seem to help the situation.  LOL.  I guess we will never know. 

Well, if you would like to write your own story, using this comp book to do so, you can, cause I put it on Etsy.  And some Valentine stuff too.  And more to come, by Friday. 

And since my blogaversary is just around the corner...thought we would celebrate in a different way.  More details to come.

Happy Thursday.

In the thick of things

Awww, hearts and flowers and little naked cupids. 

How funny it, that we rush from one holiday to the next.  I always get tickled at this time of the year.  Red is still the central color and love the theme, even giving and yet it still feels fresh and new.  I've got cupids and hearts already strewn from end of the studio to the other.

And magnets.  I got some great collage sheets from Alpha Stamps and have been having fun with those.

 
And kits.  I've got the contents of several kits tossed around the room as well.  In various stages of "coming together".  I hope to have these on Etsy by the first of next week.  As well as several valentine goodies and assorted things.

So much fun, so much to do. 

Just as a side note, I want to say how grateful I am for the kindness of strangers.  My little brother was on his motorcycle last Friday and he was struck by an automobile.  He went up and over the driver's car, literally knocked out of his tennis shoes.  Thank goodness for those people who gently pulled him out of the middle of the road, called an ambulance, collected his glasses and shoes and just sat with him until medical help arrived.  One lady prayed for him as they waited. We so rarely hear of good Samaritans any more, I was so very grateful to these.

He's not out of the woods yet.  Lots of bumps, bruises and scraps, a shattered ankle, broken toe and a numerous nasty cuts and bruises.  Infection continues to be a possibility.  As do issues with the ankle.  But he's alive and again, I'm so very grateful.  Luv ya bro, heal fast. 

Happy Tuesday.