YAPPING CAT STUDIO

My passion, making books, expecto patronum.

Anytime  I get the chance to play with paper and make a book, that is just he best.  That is where my passion lies.  And yes, they make nice gifts for friends, but sometimes I feel like its one of the least things that I do, and yet it is my favorite thing to do.  Just does not add up does it. 

In fact, this conversation was heard in the Studio just the other day:

     me, "so...don't you think if you just put yourself out there...really, put yourself out in the universe and tell it that you expect great things to happen, that they will?"

     sweet hub, "expecto patronum"  (said with great enthusiasm, with arm in the air, ala Harry Potter).  Actually, I would have dead panned it, it would have been funnier.  It still cracked me up.

So, universal expectation aside,  here is yet another little book, made for a dear friend, as a thank you gift.

This is the cover.  I smeared allot of paint on it and tried to do a fun mix of quirky stuff.  Since I don't stitch, I found myself doing lots of little doodles for high lights there and here, such as around the edge of the black paper.

See?  And I even smeared the letters with paint too!

I wanted these pages in this to "layer".  So I went from very small to large and lots of things off the edges and transparencies and such.

I just like the depth that it gives it.   And I think (for some) they are not quite sure what to do with an album, so I like to tucked little instructions in for photo placement and journaling, just to get em started.

I had fun with the colors in this one.  Here on the right, you can see the transparency.  And more scribbles and such.

A mix of paper's and lots of layers.  Here I had circled all he polka dots, but then ended up covering up most of em anyway.

Since the page on the left was so busy, I figured this one needed to be a little more clean, just to give the eyes a rest.  But I particularly liked the arrow in the flower. 

I wanted to put more vintage-ie stuff in, but just could not seem to find what I was looking for.  On this page the word "pet" needed a little enhancement to make it show up, so I highlighted and outlined. 

This is the inside of the back cover.  A pocket for tucking in photo's or mementos.  And space on the side for journaling.  I hope my friend likes her book.  It was a great pleasure to make it!  Expecto patronum. 

-c

Put your Party Hat On!

This afternoon brought to an end, what had been a flurry of emails that had been flying back and forth, between Dee Dee, Brook and Sherri's daughter Christi for over a month now.  BFF Sister's Surprise Bday party.  And it was "pretty in pink". 

Christi was sweet to let us take over, er uhm, help out with the party.  And when you get three crafty gurls involved, well, its just too much fun.  I have some pics, but not as many as I should have taken.  I always get caught up in what is going on and forget to take more pics.  

Each of us (Dee Dee, Brook and myself) did a special something for Sis to celebrate her day.  I made her a Party Hat. 

The colors we used were, pink, black and silver. 

Left side of the hat.

Right side of the hat.  I used crepe paper ruffles, butterflies, pink daisies and silver stars (large shimmery and small glitter) to adorn the hat.  

I thought she turned out mighty cute in it! 

Brook made the cutest party favors.

These great "Sherri Fairy" domino necklaces.  Even the guys wore em...it was great!

This was confetti on the table.  Yep, confetti.  Each pic was less than an inch probably in size.  What a great idea!  I think her cousins had it done for her (and had been putting it in bday cards that they had been sending her all month long).

DeeDee  did he most amazing birthday banner and the cutest birthday book and candy jar.  Here is her banner:

Here are some of the details:

And loved that she added this childhood pic!

It just turned out amazing!  You just gotta shake your head and be amazed when crafty gurls is involved! 

Penny brought the most fabulous white chocolate popcorn (oh.my.gosh) and it was great...cause it was pink and white!  LOL. 

And of course, what's a party with out cup cakes!

Happy Birthday Sis!

-c

**edited to add...this is the worst written post..LOL, but its too late and I'm too tired to change it.

The Best Bday prezzie...

I got was this!

 

JP and company have done it again!  It's as wicked cool as the first one!

It really is a great book!  And speaking of Miss Jo, I'm so very honored to have her on board as a sponsor of Paper Cowgirl Art Retreat.  She has generously donated some autographed issues of Where Women Create.

As well as some beautiful tote bags!

I gotta rig a way to win...LOL...cause these bags are nice!  OK, I'm kidding. 

During each class, I'm going to give away one item and then I thought I might even give away her new book as well!

But look a this pretty bracelet...is that not the coolest?  Its the WWC logo.

Thanks Jo, so much, we are so proud to have you on board as a sponsor for our retreat.  And speaking of, hoping to have registration go live tonight...possibly.  We still have a few bugs to work out, but the site is looking good.  If you would like to attend one of the best little art retreat's in Texas..you need to sign up.  Only 20 per class and there are some great classes.  Just take a peep here.

Well, I think my brain is past its sell by date, it had to learn Blogger today, fun.  Hopefully I grew a few new brain cells.  LOL.

Happy Wednesday!

-c

***Edited to add, for those that are interested, PC sign ups are NOW OPEN!  Go here!

...Easter is on its way.

I was playing around with some vintage Easter images and came up with the idea of a tiny Easter box that could be used either as a treat holder for an Easter tree or as place marker for an Easter table.

For some reason, this was very hard to photograph, but I hope you can get the idea.

Here is one for my young friend Missy Avery, all filled with a few treats!

And one for my niece Jenn.  These stand, where as the little ducky one at the top, can be hung from a tree.  These are a "green craft" as they are made from Dove Bath Soap boxes.

Now you can get a better idea of what the actual size is.

Hippity, Hoppity...you know the rest!

And the Winner is....

Robin!!!!!!! 

Sweet Hub picked the #17!  And that was Robin!  Congrats Robin on winning a prezzie for my birthday!  And thank you all for such sweet birthday wishes, I loved them all. 

Lots to show ya, but my camera batt's are dead.  Hope to have lots of lovely posts up this weeks.

hugs,

c

PS...do take a minute to check out Robin's blog...its wonderful and she is an incredibly talented gal!

Heyyyy, it's my Burfday!

Yep, it's my Burfday today!  And I'm really young (in my head!).  And is it really a lie about your age, if you don't feel your age?  I think not.  So, I'm choosing to be 29.  Again.  And someone said to me yesterday, "hmmm, I think this should be your last year to do that".  The nerve! 

And why am I showing you these pics?  Cause, even though its MY birthday, I thought I would give YOU the prezzie. 

And what's in this little peat cup?  Lots o stuff. 

Some lace, vintage paper doily, vintage silk threads and a fantastic pink vintage earring (I hear the pinks are the hardest to find...is that true?).  Some vintage posies and buttons...to name a few.

But this is my favorite.  Coffee dyed pink dotted swiss and crushed silk pink ribbon.  The ribbon feels almost like paper.  They are so pretty!

All wrapped up in a fun little cup. 

And I think maybe I'll throw in a few other things as well, just for grins. 

This was the "muddy pink" cup that I was going to sell on my Etsy...but I think, I stole the idea from Lynn, or maybe it was Deb, I'm not sure who actually (hey, that sounds like "old age" -forgetfulness - and that is soooo not me - the old age, not the forgetfulness).  Anyway, I stole the idea to give something away for my birthday.  So.  Here ya go.

So, show me the Birthday LOVE (leave a comment on THIS post) and I'll have Sweet Hub pull a name outta the hat (or whatever bowl I can find) to pick a winner on Sunday evening.  So, you have until Sunday noon to post. 

Thanks y'all...I'm off to eat some cake!!!!

-c

Neglected.

Back burner.  Last but not least.  Or any other turn of phrase that can be applied here...such as bottom of the heap.  Either way it all adds up to this, I've had no play time this week.  I started a collage, but alas, work, Paper Cowgirl, and work all got in the way.  Did I mention work?  LOL. 

But hopefully, I will have some things to post this week, be it in or out of the Studio.

And speaking of Paper Cowgirl new teacher and class postings will be up later today.  You have to check it out.

And one day this week is my Burfday...and I'm giving YOU a present.  So keep peeping this week.

happy (good gosh its 2 A.M.!) Monday.

Spring? Are you near?

I'm tired of gray skies and rain.  I'm tired of chapped, cold, hands.  I'm tired of wearing my coat. 

Putting out just a little bit of Spring decor.

Hoping it will do the trick. 

March 1st, yay.  Its my birthday month, and I think I'll do a giveaway.  Stay tuned.