YAPPING CAT STUDIO

Hellllloooooo Coluuh!

Color...how I've missed you!

While I've enjoyed my brief time away from you, for as they say, absence does make the heart grow fonder, now I love you even more.  Loving the bright hues on this tag.  And the purple baby. 

But want to know the really funny thing about this creation?  See that baby?  She started out like this:

Is that not the funniest?  Our copier is running low on black and it printed it out in purples, so I just used it that way.  One of those happy accidents that I love.

Hee hee...purple baby.

And the copy of the completed tag was even lighter...I had to go back in with some Prisma pencils to give her a little shading.  Which you can't see, cause she is all dolled up with ribbons and goodies to be shipped out.  

Here's another.  (This is before ribbons and goodies).  b.u. means Be You!

After goodies have been added.

I loved her little face...teaching the birds to sing!  

But my favorite thing to make today was this cow card.  Must be my FarmVille rubbing off on me.

But I finally got to use some of my vintage milk caps...fun!  And you can't really see that music piece, but it says "Hi Neighbor, Hi Neighbor, What do you know.."  Which just cracked me up cause it was too perfect. 

*s* Laughing at myself and color in my world...its all good.

Stuck in Neutral

Neutrals.  That seems to be where I am still stuck.

This collection of "muddy pinks" as I like to call em, is going to be some sort of kit or something.

See that dotted Swiss lace at the top...it was a bubble gum pink.  Till it had a coffee bath. 

Poor Sweet Hub.  The last few days, anytime he has left a cup of dead coffee around, I've managed to dunk something in it...be it birds, fabric or lace.   And then he walks back by and sez, "what the heck..." and kinda trails off and shakes his head in wonderment.  See all the fun he had been missing by being at work? 

Actually, I think now that he sees what I really do all day, he's kinda skeered.  LOL.  But, its been cool having him around so much.  Our money situation sucks, but I rather like having him here...so there is that silver lining I like to look for. 

Browns and taupe's.  Vintage and new.  Hopefully a fun mix of notions and "toys" for playing with.  

Not really de-stashing...I don't like to call it that.  Because some things I do buy with the intent to re-sell.  That odd thing to the left of the vintage jewelry is that coffee stained birdie.

Vintage jewelry.  Yum.  And all in neutral.

-c

Shades of Cream

Isn't funny how some days you are just drawn to certain colors? 

Last week at an estate sale, I was drawn to neutrals.  And believe me, that rarely happens to me.  But old ironstone, a funky spool of thread, a wee whisk broom, all seemed to be saying my name.

In our antique malls here, one of the huge color combo's is Taupe, Cream and Black.  I think it is very elegant to look at, but in my own home, well it would probably drive me crazy.

But last week it was all "speakin to me".  Loved this Carpenter's Thread.

Grotty old ironstone.

Vintage Pearl Collar.

Lacie hankie.

And these funny little white birds.  They all found their way home with me.  I know Sweet Hub was beyond thrilled to see me drag in two bags.  With him home, I can't sneak it in like I used too.  Drats. 

Actually the little birds, I've had fun coffee staining some of those today. 

A little coffee, a little glitter, a little rock candy and they end up like this.  Oops.  Except their poor little eyes get washed off in the coffee.  Sorry wee birdie.

Well, its past my bedtime.  ttyt.

OH and these things are on my Etsy, just in case they are speaking to you too! 

Hey, I'm Published...OK...Kinda....

I'm always glad to promote a fellow artist, and its especially fun if she is a fellow Texan artist.  And I was especially tickled to promote this new book by, Shona Cole, since I have a small part in it!   

Shona's book, called The Artistic Mother is about finding or simply making time to create with little ones.  And even better, letting the little's inspire your artistic endeavors as well.  And I found that it is not just for Mom's, but for anyone that can't devote 24/7 to art, but needs to carve out snippets here and there.  I know for me, that has been an issue of late.  And there are lots of great projects here that are adaptable for those (like myself) who don't have kidlets, but are always looking for another creative endeavor. 

The book features some beautiful photo's, great projects and highlights other artist's (Susan Tuttle, and Misty Mawn to name a few) as well. 

As for me, I'm on page 22.

 

Whoo, hoo!

And just a peep of my artwork shows through.  Kewel!

That artwork was actually for a round robin that Mendy started and that I was very honored to be a part of.  I had posted snippets here.  But in looking for photo's for this post, realized that I must have edited them all down.  Booger.  Oh well, when my book gets returned from the publisher, I'll show you some more pics.  It was a fun project and a great collaboration and all of the pages were simply amazing. 

But, back to the other book, check out Shona's beautiful book, as well as her blog, An Artful Life (and she is giving away a copy of the book too!).  Go check her out!

And oh joy, we have more snow headed our way.  Twice in one month...wow.  In Texas.  Insert your own global warming statement here.

Happy (almost) Monday.

Reaching for the "glittery" Stars

I am a positive gurl by nature.  Yeah, I pretty much see the glass as half full.  I'm gingham and blue birds and sparkly stars And I think the power of positive thinking is a win-win. 

And yet, I live with a pessimist.  It's a funny thing.  I often accuse him of raining on my parade.  Whizzing on my Wheaties.  You get the picture.  But I reckon we balance each other out.

I tell you this as background info.  My friend JuJu gave me this really cool book yesterday called "One" , I was delighted, its right up my positve little alley.

The inside page reads that is is a book of " inspiration, celebration and discovery".  And It is filled with amazing quotes that are sure to get your head and thoughts in a positive space. 

Visually it is cool as well.  When you click on the link, you can hit the thumbnails to see how wonderfully the pages are laid out (typographically). 

And while I think its purpose is aimed at a bigger goal, I like to think of the quotes as a starting part for a smaller goal.  Me.  Where am I in my art journey?

So today, I'm thinking positive thoughts as I clean the Studio.  Sometimes it reaches a point where i just can't create when I am in there because of the clutter.  I started dusting, rearranging and placing little vignettes here and there.  (The card in the background here is by Heather.)

So here is a thought for today, from the book "One".  ...the tragedy in life does not lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream.  It is not a disaster to be unable to capture your ideal, but it is a disaster to have no ideal to capture.  It is not a disgrace not to reach the starts, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for.  - Benjamin E. Mays

(Are these wee fairies not the cutest?  The Halloween one was made by my dear friend Ang over at Filigree Moon - such a talented gal, and wicked fun to boot, she always makes me laugh).  But I digress.

(more of Ang's Fairies).  So, back to the the quote.  I'm contemplating.  Do I actually have a goal?  Often times it feels as if I've lost my way.  Yes, I make things and sell some, but I think I want more, but I'm not sure how to proceed.  Perhaps putting pen to paper and making a real goal is the answer. 

Well, if not the answer...maybe a start?  What do you think?  What do you do? 

Which brings to mind another quote.  "Reach for the Moon...even if you miss, you will land among the Stars."

-c

Spring is Springing

It is. It is.  Well, here it is beginning to. 

C'mon, I'll drag ya around the store and show ya all the new stuff. 

Don't you just love daisies?  To quote Meg Ryan in "You've got Mail" they are just the happiest of flowers. And this over sized daisy wreath really wants to go home with me in a big way (no pun intended).  

Bunnies are hoping in here and there.  As are nests and eggs (some of our favorite things indeed).

Funky bunnies and great books!

And a new line of farm fresh body goods that will make your skin soft as buttah!  (The Whoopie Cream is aaaa-maze-iinnnggggg and smells like vanilla icing). 
 

Just to the left of the counter, more eggs and nests and some of the cutest stationary and calendars that feature little birds.

Now, coming up the slope just a bit, you are in a magical spot of muted colors and pretty things.  A feminine mix of muted colors that beckons one to step in and take a closer look.

Are those Hydrangea's not gorgeous?  And they look so real.

Beautiful trays and fun little note cards. 

Baskets overflow with florals, greenery and more nests.

And just around the corner in the kitchen area, we are awash in a warm glow of French Country.  From edible goodies, to polka dotted pigs and sweet hens, its an array of goodies perfect for your Cucina.

Would these glass hens not be adorable on your table?  There is a mint green one as well.

Tuscany warm, golds, reds and oranges make you feel cozy, even on the chillest of days.  And I found it totally ironic, that as we were pulling out Spring things, it was snowing like crazy.  LOL. 

Lemony yellow and the new Vintage Tabletop book by Romantic Homes. 

 
More french goodness!  These fabulous peacock trays are flying out the door!  Or should that be strutting out the door?  

We are anxiously awaiting other shipments to arrive, so pop into the Dove's Nest to see all of this, lots of new changes and more!  I'll be waiting to see ya! 

-c

Color my World....Brown.

Am I the only one drawn to the color Brown?  I'm not quite sure why, but it attracts me just as much as the colors Red and Pink.  And Brown always looks awesome with Red, and respectively Pink.  And I equally love it with gold, turquoise, lime green and a host of other colors.  I find it very warm and cozy.  Or maybe it just reminds me of chocolate? 

Maybe its little brown birds?

Brown gingham is always a hit with me.  And brown and orange makes me think of fall, but a dash of "daisy" and yellow and I'm in Spring mode.

Oh, I guess there is sometimes, no accounting for taste (as they say). 

But those are some of the colors that inhabit my world.  Or they will, once Sweet Hub is gainfully employed again.  I hope to be able to do our bedroom in browns and creams with toile and a touch of green.  I think it will be very soothing. 

For browns and creams and more, see here.

Happy Monday!

Snow Day!

Means a play day!  And play I did. 

Paint, paper and glue makes the best ingredients for a play day. 

So I got those things out and started repainting some canvases and then decided to collage on top of them, rather than repaint.  (I was actually trying to work faster, but that didn't happen). 

But it was fun.  And I was happy with the way each one turned out. 

Tee had done a tut on paper cowgirl back in September.  This was a faux beeswax technique for collage artwork.  Each little canvas just needed a little "extra" and so I followed her directions to use the gel medium and inking techniques.  I was very happy with the results.

And I love the sizes of these.  So much fun to display in different ways.  Here, I've layered a vintage transfer ware bowl with fiber shavings, a butter dish (filled with buttons) and a tiny canvas is propped inside of it.  Along with a wee bird. 

This is my favorite.

The berry fairy.  And yeah, I know, most are tired of wings and crowns.  But I still like em.  

I really liked the way this one turned out (although the subject matter is hard to see - its a nest in blue flowers with a blue bird flying above it).  It really looks old and funky in person.  This one is going to a dear friend of mine.  I hope she will like its little funkiness!

I've had lots of fun putting them here, there and everywhere this afternoon.  But they are all going on Etsy in just a few.

As for that snow day....

Twelve and a half inches.  I think it broke a record for the state.  I know in all the years that I've lived here, well, my whole life, I've only seen this happen twice before.  Beautiful and made some darn good snow balls!  

Some of us here today, made the choice to snooze away the day.  I was happy for Studio time.  Hope you are warm and cozy where you are! 

-c

uh, yeeaah. I'm a rebel.

(Click on image to see larger).

I think my Zentangle got a little too "arty".  Are they supposed to have words?  Little drawings?  Be in Red?  Oh well.  What is art anyway?  And aren't rules made to be broken? 

I always used to get busted in typography class for trying to "illustrate" everything...I guess some things never change. 

Regardless, rebel that I am, it was a way to while away the minutes while being stuck on hold.  I'll keep playing with Zentangles.  More examples are here.

Do you doodle? 

Happy Tuesday! 

I'll see ya in a few!

I'm going to take a few days off from blogging.  I need to desperately get caught up on some things and I have not had time to play, (which is too bad, cause I have lots of ideas in my head).  Hopefully, I'll have some fun things to share by the end of the week or so.  Hope your week goes well.

hugs,

c