YAPPING CAT STUDIO

Oh Yo!

Have you noticed that "YO's" are everywhere now?  I mean, they've practically reached celebrity status!

We've gotten new merchandise in at work, and Yo Yo's seem to be on everything from paper clips to tea towels. 

I was thinking of stitching some to polka dot flats that I have.  And maybe even to an oven mitt or two.  The ones here are going to be made into scrapbook embellishments.  I've always been fond of the little fellers.  And now, my mind is a twirl with possibilities. 

To quote Laura San Giacomo in the movie, Pretty Woman, "oh yo, work it, work it".  Yep.  That's what I'm thinking.

You can get some here.

Possibilities...for a Monday

Aahhhhh, Hope's nostalgic journaling class has been the ticket to coaxing the old muse out of her hiding spot.

Her class has inspired me to just sit and play. 

I found these fun little post cards at Target!

And they are the perfect size to alter and play with in any number of ways.

So, while I have not had much time to play as I would like, her class has been a good kick in the rear!

Which I think my muse seriously needed.  Now...off to "dwell in possibility"..or make that Possibilities! 

Have a great Monday.

-c

ps - thank you all for your kind words about my friend Dawn.  She will be so greatly missed.  And thank you for your encouragement to me about not feeling guilty.  Easier said than done, but I'm working on it. 

Life changes in an Instant

I often don't stop to think about that.  I zip around here and there, head buried in a book, project, work, church or who knows.  I'm just engaged in life.  I don't often think about it stopping. 

But sometimes it does. 

And today, I've lost yet another friend.  

She was not an artist, she did not get blogs, and most of the time she did not get me (huge grin on my face as I type that).  LOL, she often told me that. 

And yet, we clicked.  We had many of the same interests and we looked alike (which was often amusing).  She was so very talented in a gillion other ways, I had posted this about her.  She was a home decorator, a great cook, she loved to entertain (I always looked forward to an evening at her home), she had a quirky sense of humor (like listening to the song "Monster Mash" as we drove around and looked at Christmas lights").  Her favorite restaurant was Carrabba's.  She kept my furry babies while I went to Disney.  She had the best laugh and the biggest heart. 

And I shall miss her terribly.  

 

And I regret that I had let so many months go by since I had last seen her. 

And for that, I feel extremely guilty. 

I should have remembered. 

Life changes in an instant. 

You've Got Mail!

And fabulous mail it is!  

Shelly, Shelly, Shelly! 

Shelly and I have had a "mutual admiration society" going on for quite some time now.  I adore the quirky, bright fun of her work.  And when I bragged on her Etsy shop last week and mentioned that this was one of my favorite pieces, well she sent it to me! 

I'm so honored!  Truly.  To have one of your cool pieces...I'm just speechless.  This piece has been a fave forever.  I had not heard of the song until the episode of Pushing Daisies where Kristin Chenowerth sang it.  

 

I love blogland.  The generosity of the peeps that dwell here, forever amazes me.  Thank you, Thank you, sweet friend, she is adorable and will claim a spot of honor in the Studio.

If you want to check out more of Shelly's amazing work, look at her blog a wee bit warped.  And check out her Etsy too. 

Its a Monday! 

And yet another Reason

Another reason for no creativity is, I've been spending allot of time working on Paper Cowgirl!   Which is great, don't get me wrong.  It is allot of hard work and I'm really missing Tee, she made the whole thing more fun.  And I annoyed the heck out of her by procrastinating so much.  LOL.  But without her to annoy, well, I've had to work more independently and hopefully, efficiently.

And this pic has nothing to do with this post other than, I've been staring at the kitchen hutch, as I map out things for PC.  And thought you might like to see my new $1.00 plaid sugar bowl.  It's sweet! 

Anyway, I read this on someone's blog (sorry, can't remember who),

Sometimes you gotta create, what you want to be a part of.

-geri weitzman

I think there are no hard and fast rules to creating a retreat or event.  I think you just do the best you can do, and make something that you would want to be a part of.  Simple as that.

And i hope you will too.  If you live in the area (or don't, we have those trekking in from as far away as Louisiana and Kentucky), come play with us.  We are going to have a grand time.

For registration click here!

C'mon Back Little Muse!

Hopefully, this will make her come a'runnin!  I'm so very looking forward to taking this course.  I've been a huge fan of Hope's for ages now.  I'm betting that putting pencil and paper in hand will bring the old gal (the muse, not me) forth.  

I have played with a similar style, but not anywhere near as cool as Hope's.  Or Shelly's   It's funky.  And kind of weirdly fun.

Here is the whole thing. 

I don't know how that particular saying popped into my head.  I was missing my Mom's Pea Salad, and her, and thinking about life in general.  And it just happened.  I had been thinking of a series of paintings with aprons, and was playing around with ideas and this is what came of it.  LOL. And I suppose its true, life is better if you eat your veg! 

Life will go as smooth as you please, if you do as Mom said and EAT YOUR PEAS!

Yeah.  Too much cold meds last week.

-c

She's left the building

Flown the coop.  Fallen off the face of the planet.  Waved Buh Bye.  Well, you get the picture.  My muse has left me.  Woe.  To go into the Studio, just makes my head hurt.  I've tried to hide it from you, but alas, I can hide no more.  What does one do in this situation?  I can not find it in myself to create...the well feels dry!  Spring is in the air and I want to go out and play. 

This morning I went through all of my favorite Etsy shops, to see if I could become inspired.  Alas, I could not, but perhaps you will, so I thought I would share.

Marmee Craft!  Oh, I love her style and sense of whimsy and fun.  Usually, her work makes me want to grab my sketch book and Prisma Pencils.  (But apparently, not today).  Check out her adorable works of art and charm. 

Julie Collings.  Everything in her shop just makes my heart happy!  Happy!  And I love her blog, her new artful Thursdays are lots of fun.  Check out her cuteness in her shop.

Evalicious *sigh*, she is just wicked cool!  Supplies, kits, all done up in her funky, fun style.  Love her.  I want to be her when I grow up.   

 

Cherry Pie.  I think she had me at the name.  But look at that wonderfully, fun, bracelet!  Perfect with anything, Springy and cute.  Just too cute!  Why its cute. as. Cherry Pie. 

 

The Shabby Chic Cottage.  One of these days, when I get my cute, beach house, cottage (LOL), I will fill it to the brim with great home decor by The Shabby Chic Cottage.  Her things are just light and bright and oh so cute!  I love her shop.  These wee birds are my favorite.  And cute.

*sigh* Shelly, Shelly, Shelly! I wish she lived next door, so we could just drink coffee and chat about art.  I'm such a huge fan of her work.  Seriously.  It just makes my grin broaden each time I see it.  She is so talented.  This is one of my favorite pieces of hers.  Check out her fun, whimsical filled artworks of joy.

Well, sorry for the absence.  I hope it made your heart grow fonder?  LOL. There are so many more of my favorite Etsy shops, but hopefully those will not only bring a smile to your face, but inspire you as well. 

And just maybe, maybe my muse will eventually find her way home from where ever it is she has wandered off to.  Here's hoping.

-c

T I M E or lack there of

What I seem to be lacking lately is time.  There is just not enough time in the day.  I wish I had more.

If you've read any of the the Twilight series, you know that Edward never sleeps and is therefore accomplished in many things.  Because he has an extra eight hours in which to practice piano, read, cook, etc.

 
And an extra eight hours a day would be splendid.  I think.  Especially if I could spend it in the Studio.  Nothing but playing and making things.  *sigh*

Well, I can dream anyway.  But, now I'm off to fill my day with non-creative things, like laundry, dusting, changing the sheets and cleaning the bathrooms. 

Boo. 

If I were a vampire, would I have to clean my house?

:D

Saturday in the Park

OK, so we did not really go on Saturday, we went on Wednesday.   But just could not pass up the opportunity to use a title of a song again.

And what did we find and do at the park?

We found Posies.

and Tosies.

A frog that just might be a Prince!

A Prince that was charming (and sleepy)!.

We tiptoed through the Tulips.

Stopped and smelt the roses.  (Although yes, this is not a really a rose).

Found an Enchanted Cottage.

and a Fairy Tale Princess.

Saw a silly bull.

And a big bee.

Delighted at the sweet fragrances in the air.

And believed that on such a beautiful Spring day, there was a big of magic everywhere!

Photo's taken at Dallas Arboretum.

Hoping that Spring is in your neck of the woods as well.  And wishing you a Blessed Easter day.

-c

What the Junk?

What a gorgeous day for a flea market shopping spree!  I've certainly gotten my Vitamin D quota these past two days, thanks to all the gorgeous sunshine! 

But, oh how those March winds did blow today.  But they did not muss her.  Alas, she was already sold, and for a pretty penny...$135.00. 

Take a seat.

Pretty little porcelain shoes.  No bigger than 2" in size.  But big in price, $15.00. 

And the cutest doll house.  Quite large and a deal at just $45.00.

Silverware shining in the sun.

Along with lots of rainbow colored bling.

These too, were a little out of my price rang today, as most prices began at $30.00.  Pity, great pieces.

And lots of gorgeous blooms were in rolling carts everywhere.  And what caught my cash as well as my eye?

This awesome pile of magazines from the early 1900's called, "The Camera".

Lots of cool vintage photo's.

and ads.

And I loved the covers. 

Vintage pot holders (the stitched one was very unusual), as well as a sweet little red and white creamer.

She was most unusual find.  Its all one piece, this hen/doily/chicks.  Vintage and someone, no doubt, put allot of work into this most unusual but very cute doily.  She has some stains and worn places, but overall, still in good shape. 

I'm such a sucker for gingham.  And was disappointed when this tray had that odd fern in the center.  So image my delight when it scrubbed right off!  Now, its perfect.

Little plaid creamer, old bank book and wee silver tray.  I think these all want to stay with me. 

A funky little table and chair set.  (And yes, that is my Christmas garland up in the back ground). 

But the steal of the day, this great quilt for $5.00.  Yes, $5.00.  I almost felt guilty. 

Almost.

Thanks for going to Canton with me and finding loads of cool "junk".

-c