YAPPING CAT STUDIO

Rollin at Round Top

It was a quick trip to Round Top and back.  But enough of a trip to enjoy some great company, good food and some fresh, fantastic Fall weather.  And to find inspiration here and there.  Here are a few photo's. 

French Vanilla.  Don't ya love it?

We ambled around Zapp Hall yesterday.  This booth was called French Vanilla and Peg has such a great eye for putting together the wonderful neutral look that is so popular right now.  She was truly awe inspiring.

Just loved the way that she put things together.

Loved this great hutch and all the things she had in it.  Cept that little baby head right there.  Those things just creep me out.

Loved this!  Don't know what it is, but I loved it.

Great burlap and white pillows.  Loved the decorative details.

This just felt so fresh and fun to me! 

Can't remember whose spot this was.   But it just felt like Fall.  And so did the day.  A great cool breeze and temps in the 70's, a perfect day to be out doors looking at junk.  And speaking of Junk.

Junk Gypsy's.

The eptiomy of what I like to call, "The Texas Girl" look.  Big jewelry, funky and fun.  And you gotta love a tee that reads, "Save the Planet, its the only one that has Cornbread".

I just love the Bohemian feel at Junk Gypsy's.  So cool. 

They always have a great mix of decor and clothing. 

Clutter.  If ya say it in Texan, that would be "cluuder", Brookly, "cluttah".  But I digress.

Sustanance and shopping!

LOVED this plate!

And their wall of framed postcards.

And this great display.  Like Cracker Jack prizes for Art Girls.

Great framed art, plates, fabric. 

And irony.  A Haggar Clothing sign next to a naked mani.  Cool. 

These burlap lamp shades - industrial coolness!

I have to say, one of the best parts of my short trip was getting to meet Beth and Karla at Theresa's blogger party.  And I got to meet Sandy and her sweet daughter.  And even got to catch up with my Paper Cowgirls Lisa and Jodie.  And I got to re-met the Other Tee.  Caught a glimpse of Cat Daddy but he was making the rounds with the women's.  I wish that I had had longer to stay.  It was so much fun.  And I can't believe that I did not get any photo's, but I'm sure there will be some on other blogs that I can steal.

**Edited to add, thanks Karla!  I love it!  Cept I'm looking a little wind blown there.  You two look great!

Now, let me name drop a little.  It was rumored that Cody Foster was running around somewhere.  And I spied Peacock Park creator Gina. But I actually got to meet....wait for it...Rachel Ashwell.  Yes.  I'm so glad I did not trip or slobber on her.  She's so wonderfully British and way cool. 

Look!  Her peeps gave me her card!  Too cool.  She was staying at the same B & B Ranch that my boss and I were staying in. She ranked right up there with getting to meet Beth and Karla!  And I bought Carolyn's book, ate a fab din at Royers, bought a shirt and shopped at Leftover's.  Whew! 

All in all, it was a great trip.  Short, but sweet.  And that is sometimes one of the best things in life, short and sweet!

 

-c

Arrrgghhhhh!

Well, with that thought being screamed, rather than said, lemme show you what frustration looks like:

This is it. 

And wait, here's more frustration on the floor.  And I'm left with a whole lotta nothing.  Frustrating.  Very frustrating.  But let's rewind shall we.

5:30 am, up to feed the Cattle...I mean er Cats.

5:37 am, back to bed for a Sweet Hub snuggle. 

5:45 alarm goes off

6:00 up to make Sweet Hub some coffee and some lunch for the day.  Yes, I'm a nice wife. 

6:30 cuppa Chai and its off to The Studio to bang out several projects and get many things accomplished. I'm psyched.  I have to get at least two things done before noon.

7:00 nothing is coming together

8:00 ditto above, rummage through boxes of crap looking for stuff that might work.

9:00 gah!  I got nothing.  I go eat a pancake.

10:00 grrrrrhhhhhh.  nothing fits, nothing works, nothing thrills me.  it all sucks.  negative voice in head becomes a roar.  arrgggghhhhhhhhhhh.

11:00 give up all toghether and go watch, "You're Wearing That?". 

*sigh*

-c

Six Degrees of...Being Published

If you've ever played the "Kevin Bacon Game", also known as "Six Degree's of Kevin Bacon", the concept is an easy one.  Its a game, based on the theory, that any individual can be linked to another, within six steps. 

With that theory in mind, we are going to play, "Six Degrees of Being Published with Yapping Cat".  LOL.  Some are close, some are a stretch, but what the heck, its Tuesday and what else are we gonna do.

I LOVED this issue.  So apparently did everyone else, since I think I read on the Stampington site that it has sold out completely.  My connection to the issue is this...see those fab velvet holly leaves on the stocking on the right. 

These!  Yep, I sold em to Catherine!  I did.  Sometime last year I had them in my Etsy and she bought em.  Said she had a project in mind.  Who knew it would lead to a cover shot.  And I am a huge fan of Catherine's work (her book, Art from the Heart, remains one of my top ten faves!).  So, does that make me published?  LOL.  A cover no less. 

Again, LOVED this issue.  (I spend way too much money on Somerset mags).  But, this issue, had me at the cover.  And one of the reasons I bought it, was this fabulous piece by Bethany Kartchner.

Her art piece, called "Defining Home", well, its simply fabulous!  And I feel in love.  And as I was going over it with a magnifying glass, er uhm, fine tooth comb, I noticed something familiar.

Heeeeeeeey. See that funky red and white, scalloped trim?  Ohmygosh!  I have some just like it on here! 

Published by association?  Heck yeah, baby, I'll take that status.  Actually, I feel rather like a proud parent, glad to have my "things" make the grade, ya know?  Even if I did not do the creating. 

This book.  *sigh*.  I can truly say that I almost love this one, as much, if not a teensy, eensy bit MORE than the first one.  I know, say it ain't so, but there it is.  So imagine my surprise the other night, when flipping through it for the umpteenth time, I see this:

Wait a minute?  See that Marie in the bottom right hand corner, on page 37?

Yeah, her!  Ohmygosh!  I made that!  Seriously!  for proof, lookie here!

OK, this is a little different.  This is a book, I think what is on page 37 is a card.  I went through a "Marie" phase with that particular piece of art and that black and white paper.  But really.  I'm hangin on Lori's inspiration board. Me!  I feel just like Reese in Legally Blonde when she gets picked for the lawyer's class.  Me! 

Hey...wonder if there is Six Degree's between me and Reese?  Naaaaaahhhhhhhh. 

-c

PS....May I say once again that I am in awe of each and everyone one of the above mentioned ladies and honored to be involved, even if just a eensy bit.  Even if by just a "degree".

 

 

 

Pretty Presentation of a Package

I like to make a pretty presentation.  Sometimes its more fun than the actual gift! 

I went back over the lettering just a little, to darken them up.  (Sorry this photo is not as good as the first). 

The little paper bird is wire wrapped with pearl ribbon (that I sell in my Etsy shop) and then I tucked just a few vintage paper posies in.  I hope my friend likes her little giftie.

Hope you all are having a great weekend.

-c

Finished my project, a tiny book

So here it is.  This is what I did, instead of doing the things I shouda done. 

Now, nothing else to put off for.  So I must get to those things that really need to be done.  Yeah.  Right.  There's always laundry. 

I got this idea from Julie Collings blog (see her Jan. 14th, 2010 post for how-to's).  I wanted to make just a tiny book.  Something that little photo's or bits of this and that to could be tucked into.  Just a little keepsake to recall those first heady days of moving into a new home. 

As opposed to an old one.  That always needs cleaning.  LOL. 

OK.  Now I must make myself go work on other things.

Oh.  ohhhh kaaay.  gah.

-c

Pumpkins for Fall Decor

And a treasury!  Lookie, lookie!  hee, hee!

When I was a kid, one of the most degrading things, outside of wearing that gosh-awful, white piece of horridness know as, "gym clothes", was being picked last for Dodge Ball.  Or not just Dodge ball, but any other "team sport".  And I usually was picked last. 

But now, I'm picked, ok,maybe not first, but picked anyway.  Wow.  How fun is that?  It's only happened to me once before (to be on a treasury), so I am quite thrilled and honored.  Thanks to Donni for choosing me.  This is way better than when I used to be picked last for dodge ball.

And speaking of Pumpkins.

Are these not the most gorgeous things you have ever seen?  Velvety wonderfulness.  Surely these were the pumpkins that Cinderella's couch was made from...that's how magical these are. 

When we saw them at Market, I fell in love with them, right then and then.  Along with about fifty other foot stomping women, trying to jam into her booth. 

Find em here.  In fact check out Cindy's blog, to see all the cute new Fall stuff. 

I'm just now pulling out Fall decor.  Hence the pumpkins.  Its just been so blasted hot.  Hard to get in the mood when its still 95 degrees out.

And speaking of Fall decor.  I need opinions please.

OK.  Does this just scream, (in a very high falsetto), "the 80's called and they want their fabric back!".  Or do you like it?  Its very rich and warm looking...but perhaps too floral-ie?  I only have a few yards and was thinking it might cover a foot stool very nicely.  What do you think?  My living room is not that girlie. 

Opinions please?

-c

PS...this is my 501 blog post.  Can you believe?  Who would have thunk since March of 2007 that I would hit, 500 posts.  And you all!  Take a bow.  6,240 comments.  Love you guys!  Thanks!

Typical, but not Despicable, Me

Just call me Gru.  LOL.  And yes, typical me...as opposed to Despicable Me.  LOL.  I'm not that bad, yet.  But harboring.  LOL.  I think.  Some days I'm harboring. 

But typical me in that, I've got about three things I really NEED to be working on, and yet, I work on the one thing that I don't really NEED to do a this moment.  Why is that?

I'm sure I used to make my Mom want to pull her hair out.  I was head in the clouds, watching cartoons, half dressed, as my ride honked her horn outside the door.  And hello, I was in my teens!

Poor hubby.  The night before our wedding I was up until 3 am working on reports that should have been done earlier that week.  Then I overslept the next morning, and yes, was very nearly late to my own wedding.  In our photo's my raggedy nails show, as I did not make time to get them done.

And I still drive him crazy today.  Late for everything.  Always waiting till the last minute.  That's the one that he hates the most, that I always wait till the last minute.

Am I the only one that runs this way? 

But I keep trying, maybe there is hope yet.  I am working on my Wicked Tea project, as well as other things for Wicked Tea. In my defense today, I did break my printer this morning, so I have to go have copies made now.  Boo.  Maybe that is the reason I drifted off to work on something else. 

Who knows.  

But now I'm late to make supper, LOL.  See it never ends! :)  Oh well, you can't teach an old dog new tricks.  Or me either it seems.  LOL. 

-c

Summer has slipped away

And now its feeling like Fall.  The weather man said last night that the temps for this weekend would be the coolest that we've had since last May.  You can almost feel the collective sighs of relief in the air.  Too many days of over 100 degree temps just beats the pants offa ya.  I'm looking forward to Fall. 

Hope everyone has a great Labor Day Weekend!  Be safe!

-c